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enHandicapper's Edge Derby and Oaks Notes 04/09/10http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/handicappers-edge-derby-and-oaks-notes-040910
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<p align="center"><i><b><span>KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT </span></b></i></p>
<p align="center"><b><span>APRIL 8, 2010 </span></b></p>
<p>by James Scully </p>
<p>ESKENDEREYA (Giant's Causeway) ran away in the stretch of Saturday's Wood Memorial S. (G1), winning by only 9 3/4 lengths due to the restraint of John Velazquez, who took the prohibitive Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite in hand with a furlong left to run. He was clearly saving something for Churchill Downs. </p>
<p>In other Saturday highlights, SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy's Ride [Arg]) enhanced his credentials with a convincing 4 1/2-length victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). The front-running colt avoided the trouble behind him as he drew off on the far turn, with LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) nearly suffering disastrous consequences due to a retreating rival. The two-year-old champion was fortunate to salvage third. </p>
<p>AMERICAN LION (Tiznow) ensured his participation with a wire-to-wire victory in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (G2). He finished 2 3/4 lengths clear of 6-5 favorite YAWANNA TWIST (Yonaguska), with BACKTALK (Smarty Jones) another 11 1/4 lengths back in third. </p>
<p><b>Wood Memorial </b></p>
<p>Eskendereya separated himself from the rest of the three-year-old division with a masterful performance in the Wood, registering a 110 BRIS Late Pace rating despite never being asked by Velazquez. Trainer Todd Pletcher offered an ominous observation for the colt's 19 rivals in the 1 1/4-mile Derby. </p>
<p>&quot;It's amazing. The further he goes, the stronger he gets,&quot; Pletcher said. &quot;There was more there than what we saw, even as impressive as it was.&quot; </p>
<p>Eskendereya rolled to an 8 1/2-length win in his previous start, the February 20 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. </p>
<p>&quot;He ran as well as he did in the Fountain of Youth,&quot; Pletcher said. &quot;The thing Johnny (Velazquez) did today was take pretty good care of him from the eighth pole to the wire.&quot; </p>
<p>Eskendereya must still enter the starting gate and face the potential hurdles in an oversized field with a mad dash to the first turn, but the chestnut's athleticism is a major asset. Velazquez has more than one gear at his disposal and will go around horses if necessary, utilizing his mount's natural speed to secure positioning behind the first pack of runners.</p>
<p>If he settles into a comfortable trip, Eskendereya appears poised to carry his momentum forward in the Derby. </p>
<p>JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) raced with Eskendereya until the far turn and never quit after being left in the dust, outfinishing AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again) by a head for runner-up honors. Second in the Fountain of Youth, the hard-trying colt will now head to Louisville, Kentucky, for two-time Derby winner Nick Zito. Ten furlongs may not be his optimal distance, but Jackson Bend is the type who puts himself in position to make an impact in the stretch drive.</p>
<p>Awesome Act lost a shoe when stumbling at the start and was hurt by the moderate early pace (:24 1/5 and :49 1/5). A smart 1 1/4-length winner of the Gotham S. (G3) in his dirt debut, the chestnut's BRIS Speed ratings dropped from a 102 to a 92 on Saturday, but this wasn't a true indication of his abilities. Jockey Julien Leparoux was too close during the early stages, within three lengths of the pacesetter after the opening half-mile, and Awesome Act was left with little late punch due to the adverse trip. The one-run closer should receive the perfect set-up on May 1, so don't be surprised to see the Jeremy Noseda-trained colt rebound with a much-improved showing, and Awesome Act looms as an intriguing upset candidate due to his run style. </p>
<p>The connections of fourth-placer SCHOOLYARD DREAMS (Stephen Got Even) severely compromised the colt's chances of making the Derby field by opting for the Wood over the Illinois Derby, where he would've had an excellent chance to finish at least second against a much lesser field. With only $137,500 in graded earnings, the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) runner-up appears more likely to join the Triple Crown fray in the Preakness S. (G1). </p>
<p><b>Santa Anita Derby </b></p>
<p>Sidney's Candy will bring terrific form into the Derby for John Sadler. He stylishly kicked for home on Saturday, registering a 116 BRIS Late Pace rating as jockey Joe Talamo cruised from midstretch to the wire, and the well-built colt has now posted three straight convincing stakes wins at Santa Anita.</p>
<p>The Sid &amp; Jenny Craig Trust homebred has a lot going for him, but he'll need to change tactics while making his dirt debut in the Derby. After stumbling slightly at the break, Sidney's Candy flashed to the front in the Santa Anita Derby and received no pressure for the second straight start, establishing pedestrian splits of :24 and :48 2/5 on an uncontested advantage. In his previous outing, the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe S. (G2), he got away with an unopposed six furlongs in 1:13 2/5 en route to his first victory at two turns. The front runner won't be setting the pace in the Derby -- there's too much quality speed in this year's field -- and all four career victories have come on or very close to the lead. In his lone attempt rating off the pace, albeit following a slow start in a December allowance, Sidney's Candy finished a non-threatening fourth.</p>
<p>Despite concerns about his running style, Sidney's Candy remains a top contender for at least a top three finish. He's accomplished everything this year in spectacular fashion.</p>
<p>After racing in last most of the way, SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect) offered a commendable rally for second, notching a 118 BRIS Late Pace number, and the one-run closer is in good hands with Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. A maiden winner in mid-December, the up-and-coming colt will still have class concerns if he makes the Derby field with only $180,000 in graded earnings. However, with the possibility of a blistering early pace, Setsuko would have at least a puncher's chance for the exotics.</p>
<p>Lookin at Lucky nearly came to a stop on the far turn as jockey Garrett Gomez checked his way out of trouble, and his awful trip started a chain of events that included Gomez throwing a punch at jockey Victor Espinoza and Bob Baffert publicly chastising his rider for a &quot;horrendous&quot; ride. The bay colt showed once again why he's the perfect candidate to overcome trouble in a 20-horse Derby field, recovering nicely to post his sixth consecutive triple-digit Late Pace rating (106), but Lookin at Lucky will no longer compete for favoritism with Eskendereya following the third-place effort. He's still very dangerous. With the perfect run style and Baffert in his corner, Lookin at Lucky is a prime candidate to get involved when the serious running begins.</p>
<p><b>Illinois Derby </b></p>
<p>After establishing early splits of :24 4/5 and :49 1/5 on about a one-length lead, American Lion came under pressure from Yawanna Twist on the far turn of the Illinois Derby. The pair entered the long Hawthorne stretch locked in a head-to-head battle that looked like it could go either way, but Yawanna Twist began to run out steam upon reaching the eighth pole, allowing American Lion to drive clear late. </p>
<p>The jockey switch to David Flores paid immediate dividends with the speedy colt, who proved unwilling to rate comfortably in his first two starts this year. With Rule (Roman Ruler) and Endorsement (Distorted Humor) already firmly within the earnings bubble, owner WinStar Farm is now guaranteed (barring injury) at least three starters in the Kentucky Derby, with the possibility of a fourth in Arkansas Derby (G1) contestant Super Saver (Maria's Mon). American Lion garnered a career-best 101 BRIS Speed rating on Saturday, but it's difficult to envision him sustaining his speed on Derby Day.</p>
<p>New York-bred Yawanna Twist was a late nominee to the Triple Crown, but the Richard Dutrow runner will have serious class and distance concerns if he somehow makes the Derby field with $147,000 in graded earnings. </p>
<p>Backtalk got up for third in the shadow of the wire, a long way back of the top two finishers, and was fortunate that fourth-placer TURF MELODY (Maria's Mon) experienced trouble on the first turn. He may make the field with $225,916 in graded earnings, but the late runner hasn't earned a BRIS Speed rating better than 91 in his last six starts.</p>
<p><b>Upcoming</b></p>
<p>Two big stakes, the Blue Grass S. (G1) and Arkansas Derby, will be offered this Saturday, and Pletcher will remain in the spotlight with top contenders in each event. </p>
<p>He'll send out both AIKENITE (Yes It's True) and INTERACTIF (Broken Vow) in the Blue Grass, and the latter will take some beating off his excellent second in the San Felipe. The deep field will also contains Tampa Bay Derby hero ODYSSEUS (Malibu Moon); Florida Derby (G1) runner-up PLEASANT PRINCE (Indy King); multiple Grade 1-placed MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (Bernstein), who opened his sophomore campaign with a victory in the grassy Pasadena S.; and PADDY O'PRADO (El Prado [Ire]), who broke his maiden in the recent Palm Beach S. (G3) on turf.</p>
<p>Grade 1 winners NOBLE'S PROMISE (Cuvee) and DUBLIN (Afleet Alex) both have at least one start over the track and neither would be a surprise in the $1 million Arkansas Derby, but I like the Pletcher-trained SUPER SAVER wire to wire from the rail.</p>
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<p><b><span>Bubbles ready to burst as nine enter Blue Grass</span></b></p>
<p>Three weeks out from the Kentucky Derby (G1), there are a lot of places owners and trainers of classic hopefuls would rather be than on the bubble. For the nine colts entered in Saturday's $750,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/bluegrass10.htm"><span>Blue Grass S. (G1)</span></a>, the nine-furlong Polytrack heat at Keeneland offers an opportunity for most to shed that status and lock in a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on May 1.</p>
<p>As was the case in last week's Ashland S. (G1), the filly counterpart to the Blue Grass, a California-based runner with positive experience on synthetic might prove to be the biggest danger. INTERACTIF (Broken Vow) is hoping to become the latest Todd Pletcher pupil to join the Derby field, and has a strong chance of doing so if able to repeat his second in the San Felipe S. (G2), where he finished a mere half-length behind subsequent Santa Anita Derby (G1) romper Sidney's Candy (Candy Ride [Arg]). Interactif has already displayed his talent once before a Keeneland throng, winning the Bourbon S. (G3) on the turf in October, and should be well-placed throughout by Rafael Bejarano.</p>
<p>Another West Coaster, MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (Bernstein), still has a bit more to find on synthetic. Multiple Grade 1-placed at two, he found the switch to turf more to his liking when taking the Pasadena S. at Santa Anita last time for career victory number one. The Alexis Barba pupil was only fourth in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) over the main track last fall.</p>
<p>AIKENITE (Yes It's True) could be the wild card based on his narrow second-place finish in the Breeders' Futurity. Though he failed to keep up with his contemporaries in Florida over the winter, the Dogwood Stable colorbearer's fondness for the Keeneland surface makes him a major threat. ODYSSEUS (Malibu Moon), meanwhile, is already a major prep winner having taken the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) with an improbable-looking re-rally in the stretch. Unfortunately, he could run himself out of the Derby picture if unable to adequately handle Polytrack in his first attempt.</p>
<p>PLEASANT PRINCE (Indy King), the 3-1 morning-line favorite off a tough beat in the Florida Derby (G1), lost a maiden claiming race here by five lengths in October, which is a cause for concern. Perhaps a better case could be made for FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got Even). Though only fifth in the Florida Derby, the Dale Romans charge closed well for second in his maiden special weight debut over this strip. PADDY O'PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) tries this kind of surface for the first time off a 2 1/2-length win in the Palm Beach S. (G3) on turf, where he beat subsequent Lane's End S. (G2) victor Dean's Kitten (Kitten's Joy).</p>
<p>Synthetic specialist CODOY (Bernstein), who was disqualified from first in the John Battaglia Memorial, is a potential sleeper though his deep-closing style might not work given how the track has played during the first several days of the meet.</p>
<p>An deeply talented group of fillies and mares will contest the $200,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/jennywiley10.htm"><span>Jenny Wiley S. (G2)</span></a> over 1 1/16 miles on the turf, led by 2008 champion turf female FOREVER TOGETHER (Belong to Me), who won this race last year and concluded her 2009 campaign with a third as the defending champion in the Breeders' Cup Filly &amp; Mare Turf (G1). Another champion from 2008, STARDOM BOUND (Tapit), will be trying turf for the first time after a poor effort on her preferred Santa Anita Pro-Ride in the La Canada S. (G2).</p>
<p>CARRIBEAN SUNSET (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), who ran Forever Together to a head in the Diana S. (G1) last summer, has been idle since the Palomar H. (G2) on September 9 but might prove to be the biggest threat if she fires her best off the bench. WASTED TEARS (Najran) and QUIET HARBOR (Silver Deputy), one-two in the Honey Fox S. (G3) last time, have each been in outstanding form for months, while Grade 2 heroine SALVE GERMANIA (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) enters off a strong second in a Gulfstream allowance. Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) winner HOT CHA CHA (Cactus Ridge) probably has a few lengths to find on her elders.</p>
<p>Only five were entered in the $250,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/commonwealth10.htm"><span>Commonwealth S. (G2)</span></a> at seven furlongs. TOGETHER INDY (Not for Love), NOT FOR SILVER (Not for Love), RAVALO (Mutakddim), IMPERIAL COUNCIL (Empire Maker) and CONGRESSIONAL PAGE (Orientate), will enter the gate in that order. </p>
<p>Course and distance specialists CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (War Chant) and SILVER TIMBER (Prime Timber) are the top draws in the $100,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/shakertown10.htm"><span>Shakertown S. (G3)</span></a> at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Both are previous winners of the Woodford S., which is contested at the fall meet, while Chamberlain Bridge was a only neck behind in third in this race a year ago. </p>
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<p><b><span>Odysseus takes to the track after early morning rain</span></b></p>
<p>On a soggy Thursday morning at Keeneland, the waiting game was on at Barn 33.</p>
<p>&quot;We are going to wait it out,&quot; said Dan Blacker, assistant to trainer Tom Albertrani and exercise rider for Padua Stables' ODYSSEUS (Malibu Moon), the 7-2 morning-line second choice for Saturday's Blue Grass S. (G1). Odysseus will break from post position 1.</p>
<p>Instead of going to the track just before 7:30 a.m. (EDT) as has been his norm this week, Odysseus cooled his heels back at the barn. By 9 a.m., the rain had diminished to a drizzle and by the time Blacker and Odysseus hit the track, the precipitation had stopped.</p>
<p>Odysseus jogged a mile and then stood at the paddock runway for a few minutes.</p>
<p>&quot;He's got great composure, and if you let him, he would stand there for an hour. He loves to watch everything,&quot; Blacker said.</p>
<p>Odysseus then galloped 1 1/2 miles, picking up the pace the final half of the exercise. </p>
<p>&quot;He basically did a two-minute lick the last three-quarters and picked it up the final quarter mile,&quot; said Sasha Sanan, son of Padua owner Satish Sanan. &quot;I got him in :14, :14, :14, :14, :13 and :13.&quot;</p>
<p>Should Odysseus pass his Blue Grass test, he could give Padua its fifth starter in the Kentucky Derby (G1).</p>
<p>&quot;We had Curlin and Any Given Saturday in partnership in 2007,&quot; Sanan said. &quot;That was quite a crop. We also had Quintons Gold Rush (in partnership) in 2004 and Exchange Rate (in 2000).&quot;</p>
<p>A Kentucky Derby starter every three or four years is not bad, &quot;but we'd love to have one every year,&quot; Sanan said with a smile. </p>
<p><b>In other Blue Grass news:</b></p>
<p>Ken and Sarah Ramsey's PLEASANT PRINCE (Indy King), the 3-1 morning-line favorite who will break from post position 6 for Saturday's Blue Grass, galloped 1 1/2 miles in the rain Thursday morning under exercise rider Brian Pena. Trainer Wesley Ward, who was at Gulfstream Park, was expected to return to Lexington, Kentucky, later Thursday.</p>
<p>Donegal Racing's PADDY O'PRADO (El Prado [Ire]), listed at 10-1 on the morning line for the Blue Grass, galloped 1 1/2 miles under Mary Doser before the heaviest of the morning deluge hit. Paddy O'Prado will break from post position 7.</p>
<p>Todd Pletcher is pleased with the outside post positions for his two starters in this year's race, according to assistant trainer Ginny DiPasquale. Dogwood Stable's AIKENITE (Yes It's True) will break from post 8 with Garrett Gomez aboard, and INTERACTIF (Broken Vow) will start from post 9 under Rafael Bejarano.</p>
<p>&quot;Aikenite tends to like to be on the outside,&quot; DiPasquale said about the colt, who was second in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) here last October. &quot;It seems like when he's inside, he gets in a little bit of trouble. This will hopefully keep both horses freer to run on. Interactif is a good closer anyway. Hopefully, they can get tucked in before the first turn and they're not hung out nine wide.&quot;</p>
<p>On Thursday, Aikenite walked through the paddock and galloped about 1 1/4 miles with exercise rider Melvin Hernandez. Interactif is currently at Churchill Downs and will be vanned to Keeneland on Saturday morning.</p>
<p>Ellen and Peter O. Johnson Sr.'s MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (Bernstein), who arrived at Keeneland Tuesday afternoon from Southern California, galloped 1 3/8 miles with Andy Durnin aboard.</p>
<p>&quot;He was very comfortable,&quot; said Durnin, who has worked with trainer Alexis Barba for 14 years since she was an assistant to the late Eddie Gregson. </p>
<p>Durnin said that he and Barba had not talked about a race strategy for the colt, who drew post 4.</p>
<p>&quot;He's a pretty straightforward horse, so tactically there's not really much to discuss,&quot; Durnin said. &quot;He's going to go out there and run his race.&quot;</p>
<p>Durnin said he expects Barba to be here Friday morning to watch the colt train. Mike Smith, who has ridden Make Music for Me in his last three races, will be aboard in the Blue Grass.</p>
<p>Bred to Win Partners LLC's CODOY (Bernstein) also toured the paddock on his way to the track, where he galloped about 1 5/8 miles with Mimi Davis aboard. The colt, who drew post 5 with John Velazquez aboard, and STATELY VICTOR (Ghostzapper) both are 30-1 longshots on the morning line.</p>
<p>&quot;I hope he doesn't run like he's 30-1,&quot; Codoy's trainer, Mark Hubley, said with a laugh. &quot;Most of these horses have run second to a good horse. We'll see what happens. Listening to the handicapper (morning line oddsmaker Mike Battaglia), I got a little intimidated (with him) extolling the virtues of everybody else's horse, but I think this race is pretty wide open, really. It'll be fun. It'll be exciting. We're ready to go.&quot; </p>
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<p><b><span>Colt tries to live up to Promise in Arkansas Derby</span></b></p>
<p>NOBLE'S PROMISE (Cuvee) held the lead in the stretch of Oaklawn Park's Rebel S. (G2) on March 13 while making his seasonal bow, but was just caught on the wire and nipped by a head for the victory that day. Three lengths farther back in that 1 1/16-mile test came DUBLIN (Afleet Alex), and the pair will pick up where they left on Saturday in the feature event of the Oaklawn meet, the $1 million <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/arkderby10.html"><span>Arkansas Derby (G1)</span></a>.</p>
<p>The Kenny McPeek-trained Noble's Promise racked up three straight wins last year, breaking his maiden on the turf at Ellis Park before capturing the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile S. at Presque Isle Downs and Keeneland's Breeders' Futurity (G1) over those tracks' respective synthetics. The bay colt was not only making his seasonal debut in the Rebel last out, but he was also trying a conventional dirt surface for the first time. He had Robby Albarado aboard for that experience, and will get the rider back in the saddle Saturday while going for yet another first -- making his initial start at nine furlongs.</p>
<p>While Dublin will be also debuting at 1 1/8 miles in the Arkansas Derby, the D. Wayne Lukas trainee has spent his entire career running on dirt surfaces across the country. Though his last win came in the Hopeful S. (G1) at Saratoga in September, the chestnut colt has been doing well in two races this year. He ran second by three parts of a length in the Southwest S. (G3) at Oaklawn before going in the Rebel, and hasn't stopped firing bullets over the track since mid-February. Jockey Terry Thompson, who was in the saddle for the Southwest, will retake the mount.</p>
<p>Like Noble's Promise, SUPER SAVER (Maria's Mon) ran an exceptional race in his belated three-year-old bow last out, finishing a half-length back in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) after dueling throughout. The Todd Pletcher runner obviously needed the tightening that event provided and is the likely pacesetter here. Super Saver will reunite with Calvin Borel, who guided the bay to a five-length trouncing in last season's Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2).</p>
<p>Lane's End S. (G2) runner-up NORTHERN GIANT (Giant's Causeway), Rebel fourth UH OH BANGO (Top Hit) and Grade 1-placed PULSION (Include) are the only other runners in the Arkansas Derby with prior stakes experience. Two of the remaining three entrants -- NEW MADRID (Rock Hard Ten) and BERBERIS (Southern Image) -- broke their maidens in their last race while California shipper LINE OF DAVID (Lion Heart) scored in a turf allowance.</p>
<p>Two races later on the Saturday's closing day card, a field of eight sophomore fillies will take to the track in the $75,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/instantracing10.html"><span>Instant Racing S.</span></a> going one lap around the mile oval. Grade 3 queen DECELERATOR (Dehere) will look to add another Oaklawn stakes to her resume following a victory in the Martha Washington S. in mid-February. The dark bay miss tried to lead gate-to-wire in the Honeybee S. (G3) last out, but faded to fourth on the wire. Thompson has piloting duties on Dublin's stablemate.</p>
<p>TIZ MIZ SUE (Tiznow) and BELL'S SHOES (Mineshaft) are also exiting the Honeybee, having run fifth and sixth, respectively, as well as the Martha Washington, where they filled the respective fourth and third spots.</p>
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churchillderbyFair GroundshandicapkentuckyOaksFri, 09 Apr 2010 16:46:47 +0000Brisnet7395 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comHandicapper's Edge Derby and Oaks Notes 4/01/10http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/handicappers-edge-derby-and-oaks-notes-40110
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<p align="center"><em><strong><span>KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT </span></strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong><span>APRIL 1, 2010</span></strong></p>
<p>by <a href="mailto:james.scully@brisnet.com"><span>James Scully</span></a></p>
<p>Todd Pletcher's name will be all over this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) program. With MISSION IMPAZIBLE's (Unbridled's Song) victory in Saturday's $750,000 Louisiana Derby (G2), the conditioner's roster is potentially nine-deep.</p>
<p>Here's a break down of Pletcher's Derby horses in terms of graded earnings: </p>
<p>Mission Impazible joined RULE (Roman Ruler) and DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft) as guaranteed Derby starters, barring injury. INTERACTIF (Broken Vow) and AIKENITE (Yes It's True) are well-situated with $270,450 and $218,000, respectively, in graded earnings and both will have the opportunity to pad their bankroll in the $750,000 Blue Grass S. (G1) on April 10. That's five Derby starters so far.</p>
<p>SUPER SAVER (Maria's Mon) and ESKENDEREYA (Giant's Causeway) are on the outside of the graded-earnings bubble presently, with $163,832 and $150,000, respectively, but both colts are poised to make a significant jump in their final prep. Eskendereya will be the heavy favorite in Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial (G1), and Super Saver looms as the potential lone speed in next Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). That makes seven probables.</p>
<p>Pletcher said on Tuesday's NTRA teleconference to include Grade 1-winning filly DEVIL MAY CARE (Malibu Moon) in the Derby discussion. Nominated to the Triple Crown, Devil May Care ran nine furlongs faster than Florida Derby (G1) winner Ice Box (Pulpit) when posting a 2 3/4-length victory in the Bonnie Miss S. (G2) earlier on the program and will easily make the field ($364,000 in graded earnings) if her connections decide to challenge a less-than-inspiring group of males. Look for them to opt for the Derby route, providing Pletcher with his eighth contestant.</p>
<p>Last on the nine-horse list is CONNEMARA (Giant's Causeway). Winner of the El Camino Real Derby (G3) two back, the half-brother to 2004 Derby runner-up Lion Heart finished third as the 8-5 choice in Saturday's Lane's End S. (G2) and will need major defections in order to make the Derby with only $138,500 in graded earnings. A good showing in the $300,000 Lexington S. (G2) on April 17 would ensure his participation, but his connections may not want to run him that close to the Derby.</p>
<p>So we'll go with eight likely Derby runners, with the possibility of nine. That puts Pletcher, who has recorded a pair of seconds and a third in 24 previous Derby starts, in position to send out at least 40 percent of the 2010 Derby field. He has a lot of good horses as well as strength by numbers.</p>
<p><strong>Louisiana Derby</strong></p>
<p>Mission Impazible recorded a hard-fought, three-quarters of a length decision over pacesetter A LITTLE WARM (Stormin Fever) in the 1 1/8-mile Louisiana Derby. After breaking on top, the gray colt was eased back by jockey Rajiv Maragh and received a ground-saving trip along the inside, within a few lengths of the leader. Maragh guided his mount off the rail approaching the conclusion of the far turn and went after A Little Warm in midstretch, eventually wearing down his rival late. He received a disappointing 97 BRIS Speed rating for his effort.</p>
<p>That Speed figure won't get it done on May 1 and the Louisiana Derby doesn't look like a strong prep. But Mission Impazible, whose lone previous win came in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight event at Keeneland last April, is a horse on the improve for Pletcher. After being sidelined eight months, he returned with a close second in a six-furlong allowance at Gulfstream in January and then gave a solid account of himself with a fourth-place effort in the Southwest S. (G3), re-rallying through the stretch after losing ground on the far turn. He took a significant step forward in the Louisiana Derby, flashing plenty of potential for the lucrative three-year-old stakes races this summer, but he'll be competing for a minor award at best on Derby Day.</p>
<p>A Little Warm ran a big one in his two-turn debut, withstanding multiple bids from fourth-placer Discreetly Mine before being challenged by Mission Imapazible and third-placer DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor) inside the final furlong, but trainer Tony Dutrow was non-committal about the Derby afterward, leaving it up to the owners to decide. The speedy colt is in a tenuous position with only $180,000 in graded earnings and a handful of rich prep races remaining, and it would probably be in his best interest to bypass the Derby given his pedigree for 1 1/4 miles.</p>
<p>Drosselmeyer was able to save ground early from post 13, angling over to the rail in midpack as he entered the first turn, but encountered serious trouble in the stretch run. Jockey Kent Desormeaux had the option to take him around horses entering the far turn, but he elected to remain on the rail and Drosselmeyer arrived at the top of the stretch with a head full of momentum and no place to go. Desormeaux was forced to apply the brakes and, with no opportunity to alter course, waited until a path opened in deep stretch. By that point it was too late and Drosselmeyer wound up being beaten only a length in third. He's left with only $85,000 in graded earnings, and trainer Bill Mott will need to squeeze in another prep race or point toward the Preakness S. (G1).</p>
<p>Discreetly Mine, who was forwardly-placed from the start, offered a bold move turning for home but came up a little short in the final eighth of a mile, checking in another neck back in fourth. He's earned BRIS Speed ratings of 95-97-95 this year and will be facing faster horses next time.</p>
<p><strong>Sunland Derby</strong></p>
<p>ENDORSEMENT (Distorted Humor) is a new face on the Derby scene by virtue of his convincing victory in Sunday's Sunland Derby (G3), rolling past pacesetter and 3-5 favorite CONVEYANCE (Indian Charlie) at the top of the stretch to win going away by three lengths. Owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Shannon Ritter, the well-bred colt was dismissed at 11-1 by the betting public following a 2 1/2-length maiden score on February 20 at Oaklawn Park that netted him only a 93 BRIS Speed rating. He earned a career-best 99 Speed number at Sunland Park.</p>
<p>Conveyance's stock took a serious tumble in defeat. The gray colt comfortably captured his first four career starts, including a pair of one-mile tallies this year in the Southwest and San Rafael S. (G3), and led by 1 1/2 lengths on Sunday after an opening half-mile in a dawdling :48.04. The Bob Baffert pupil couldn't have asked for a better set-up -- only one of the other 11 two-turn route races on the program featured a slower opening half-mile -- but it became readily apparent that Conveyance was in trouble when Martin Garcia began asking for more approaching the stretch drive. Conveyance didn't put up much of a fight against the winner and will have to carry his speed an extra eighth of a mile on a contested pace in the Derby.</p>
<p>Endorsement is out of an A.P. Indy mare and may generate some comparisons to last year's three-year-old champion Summer Bird (Birdstone). After breaking his maiden at Oaklawn last March, Summer Bird finished third in the Arkansas Derby and sixth in the Kentucky Derby. He went on to win the Belmont S. (G1), Travers S. (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). Endorsement has a lot to do to live up to those standards, but he's got that kind of potential. The chestnut owns good tactical speed and can finish, generating BRIS Late Pace ratings of 107 and 101 in his limited racing career, and there's plenty of room for improvement. He's a beautiful mover who shouldn't be taken lightly, but the Derby will be asking a lot from such an inexperienced colt.</p>
<p>Don't be surprised to see Endorsement's bandwagon pick up steam in the coming weeks, especially if he trains splendidly at Churchill Downs, but history is not in his corner. Curlin, who finished third in the 2007 Derby after breaking his maiden in February, is another recent example of a supremely talented three-year-old who wasn't able to overcome his inexperience on the first Saturday in May.</p>
<p><strong>Lane's End</strong></p>
<p>DEAN'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) switched from turf to Polytrack to notch his first stakes victory in Saturday's Lane's End, rallying from just off the pace to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths, and is headed to the Derby for owner Ken Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker. The synthetic track at Turfway Park is the only reason he's in the picture.</p>
<p>His lone dirt attempt came over a good track in the off-the-turf Pilgrim S. at Belmont Park last year and Dean's Kitten trailed most of the way before winding up 33 3/4 lengths back of the winner. He posted an encouraging 101 BRIS Speed rating in the Lane's End and rates as one of the top turf three-year-olds in the country, but Dean's Kitten will probably finish up the track in the Derby.</p>
<p><strong>Upcoming</strong></p>
<p>A dynamite slate of races is on tap this weekend, headed by the appearances of the two leading Kentucky Derby contenders, LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) and ESKENDEREYA. The former will be the one to beat in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), where he'll have to catch dangerous front runner and San Felipe S. (G2) winner SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy's Ride [Arg]). The centerpiece event of the Santa Anita meet will provide the last opportunity for Derby hopefuls CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams), SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect) and ALPHIE'S BET (Tribal Rule) to garner enough graded earnings.</p>
<p>Eskendereya put on a scintillating display at Gulfstream Park when capturing the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) by 8 1/2 lengths, but he bypassed the Florida Derby in favor of the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, where he will face a much stiffer test. AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again) looked formidable when posting an impressive 1 1/4-length score in his U.S. debut, the Gotham S. (G3), and is eligible to keep moving forward for trainer Jeremy Noseda on Saturday. Fountain of Youth and Holy Bull S. (G3) runner-up JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) will be cranked up for his best by Nick Zito, and SCHOOLYARD DREAMS (Stephen Got Even), who narrowly lost the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) after striking the front too early, will pick up the services of Ramon Dominguez and enters on the upswing for Derek Ryan.</p>
<p>Tom Amoss has morning-line favorite BACKTALK (Smarty Jones) in Saturday's Illinois Derby (G3) at Hawthorne. The Grade 2-winning colt opened his sophomore campaign with a victory in the Sportsmen's Paradise S. at Delta Downs and recorded a sizzling six-furlong workout at Fair Grounds last weekend in preparation for his second start of the season. Gotham runner-up YAWANNA TWIST (Yonaguska) will ship in for Richard Dutrow, and a couple of well-regarded California invaders, AMERICAN LION (Tiznow) and DAVE IN DIXIE (Dixie Union), will be looking to move up in their dirt debuts.</p>
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<p><strong><span>Field favored in final Future Wager</span></strong></p>
<p>LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) and the field were both bet down to 9-2 when wagering closed on the third and final Pool of Churchill Downs' 2010 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) Sunday evening, but the field earned favoritism status. The &quot;all others&quot; wager was also favored in both of this year's earlier KDFW pools. It closed as the 3-2 choice in February's Pool 1 and the 3-1 fan's choice when wagering ended for Pool 2 on March 7. </p>
<p>The &quot;all others&quot; bet has been the favorite in the opening pool of the KDFW every year since the wager was launched in 1999, but 2010 marks the first time that it has been the fan's choice in the year's third and final pool. The margin that separated the field wager from Lookin at Lucky was razor-thin, as both were 9-2 risks when wagering on the three-day pool concluded across North America at 6 p.m. (EDT) on Sunday. However, actual closing odds for the mutuel field were $4.50-to-1, while the Bob Baffert-trained Lookin at Lucky stood at $4.90-to-$1.</p>
<p>Lookin at Lucky, who is likely to make his final Kentucky Derby prep in Saturday's Santa Anita Derby (G1), closed as the 9-1 third choice in the second KDFW and is the 8-1 second choice from Pool 1.</p>
<p>ESKENDEREYA (Giant's Causeway), one of trainer Todd Pletcher's record seven individual horses in Pool 3, was the only other individual horse who closed at single-digit odds when wagering ended on Sunday. The chestnut was bet down to 5-1, the same odds at which he closed as the individual betting favorite in Pool 2. Headed for the Wood Memorial S. (G1) on Saturday at Aqueduct, Eskendereya is listed at 22-1 for Pool 1.</p>
<p>Individual horses that received solid support during the just-concluded final Derby Futures Wager of 2010 included Gotham S. (G3) hero AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again), who closed at 13-1 ahead of his expected start in the Wood Memorial; Grade 1 victor DUBLIN (Afleet Alex) (18-1), going in the Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 10; Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner ODYSSEUS (Malibu Moon) (18-1), who is headed for either the Arkansas Derby or Blue Grass S. (G1) on the same day; Grade 1 scorer NOBLE'S PROMISE (Cuvee) (19-1), set for the Arkansas Derby; Florida Derby (G1) king ICE BOX (Pulpit)(19-1), who is training up to the Kentucky Derby; dual Grade 3 winner CONVEYANCE (Indian Charlie) (19-1), second in Sunday's Sunland Derby (G3); and multiple Grade 2 hero and Santa Anita Derby hopeful SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) (22-1).</p>
<p>A total of $310,154 was wagered in Pool 3, with $224,358 specified as win wagers and $85,796 going into exacta bets. Combined wagering for the three 2010 pools was $1,132,055.</p>
<p>Exacta payouts and other Kentucky Derby Future Wager information are available online under &quot;Contenders&quot; and &quot;News&quot; at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kentuckyderby.com/"><span>www.kentuckyderby.com</span></a>, the official website for the 136th running of America's greatest race and the definitive online resource for information about the Kentucky Derby experience. </p>
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<p><strong><span>Eskendereya tops six-pack in Wood Memorial</span></strong></p>
<p>ESKENDEREYA (Giant's Causeway), generally considered among the top two candidates for the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1), will have his final prep for the big dance in Saturday's $750,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/woodmemorial10.htm"><span>Wood Memorial S. (G1)</span></a> on a stakes-laden card at Aqueduct. The leading prospect for trainer Todd Pletcher, who could conceivably have as many as seven or eight entrants in the Run for the Roses, will again be piloted be piloted by John Velazquez over one lap of the Big A's 1 1/8-mile main oval.</p>
<p>Considered by most to have had the most impressive prep win of the season so far, an 8 1/2-length demolition of his foes in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) on February 20, Eskendereya was kept out of the March 20 Florida Derby (G1) over the same course and distance due to owner Ahmed Zayat's preference for a final prep closer in proximity to the Kentucky Derby, a decision not without a small element of risk. With only $150,000 in graded earnings to date, an unexpectedly poor effort in the Wood might leave Eskendereya on the outside looking in come Derby time with few remaining opportunities to grab additional graded earnings. In general, however, a truly bad performance by the favorite seems inconceivable on paper. </p>
<p>The likely second choice in the wagering is AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again), who invaded from England for trainer Jeremy Noseda to win the Gotham S. (G3) over the inner dirt in impressive fashion. That was also the chestnut's first appearance on dirt after running exclusively on turf and synthetic previously. He first came to attention on this side of the pond in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) at Santa Anita, where he made a belated rally for fourth.</p>
<p>The other main players both wintered in Florida. JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) has yet to equal his best BRIS Speed ratings from his juvenile campaign in two starts for Nick Zito this season. Though he finished second in both the Holy Bull S. (G3) and Fountain of Youth, the Florida-bred will have to elevate his game and prove he wants to go farther than nine furlongs. SCHOOLYARD DREAMS (Stephen Got Even) was re-routed to the Wood earlier in the week from Saturday's Illinois Derby (G3) at Hawthorne, where he might have gone favored. From the same connections that campaigned dual classic-placed Musket Man last season, the bay enters off runner-up finishes in the Sam F. Davis S. (G3) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3), the latter in a bizarrely tight photo to Odysseus (Malibu Moon).</p>
<p>The remaining two entrants are in deep. MOST HAPPY FELLA (Ecton Park), who shares a name with the prominent Standardbred who won the Pacing Triple Crown in 1970, recently defeated New York-bred allowance/optional claiming foes while CARNIVORE (Giant's Causeway) enters fresh off a seven-length maiden win at Laurel.</p>
<p>The other graded stakes on the Wood Memorial undercard also attracted small fields. Six will line up in the $250,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/carter10.htm"><span>Carter H. (G1)</span></a> over seven furlongs with favoritism likely to fall on MUNNINGS (Speightstown), who seeks his first top-level success following Grade 2 scores in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship, Tom Fool H. and Woody Stephens S. over the past two seasons. The Pletcher charge has placed at the Grade 1 level five times since his juvenile season, however, and carries top weight of 119 pounds because of it.</p>
<p>The aforementioned MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) made a successful return to the races on February 6 when taking the Super S. at Tampa Bay Downs going seven-eighths. Last year's Illinois Derby (G2) and Tampa Bay Derby winner had been idle since last May when third in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness S. (G1). DIGGER (Yonaguska), runner-up in the General George H. (G2) last time following back-to-back wins in the Gravesend H. and Fire Plug S., appears competitive on recent form as does the Grade 2-placed WARRIOR'S REWARD (Medaglia d'Oro), who made a successful return in a February 11 allowance/optional claimer at Gulfstream.</p>
<p>ELUSIVE WARNING (Elusive Quality), a subpar fourth in the Toboggan S. (G3) last out, is capable of better while DRIVEN BY SUCCESS (Precise End) will be a longshot to improve on his third-place effort in the 2009 Carter.</p>
<p>EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY (Forest Camp), who turned heads with a sparkling 17 1/4-length maiden win over the inner dirt in January, will make a highly-anticipated return to the track in the $200,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/bayshore10.htm"><span>Bay Shore S. (G3)</span></a> over seven furlongs. The sophomore was heavily favored in the February 6 Whirlaway S. in his follow-up, but bolted around the clubhouse turn after his bit broke in two and his bridle came loose. The colt required 14 stitches to repair cuts to his legs following that incident, but has been given plenty of time to recover and looks the strongest in the field of seven.</p>
<p>Others of note are Fred &quot;Cappy&quot; Capossela S. winner CASTANEDA (Yonaguska); RAYNICK'S JET (A. P Jet), an impressive winner of a state-bred allowance last time; and the stakes-placed Californian HURRICANE IKE (Graeme Hall), who makes his dirt debut for trainer John Sadler.</p>
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<p><strong><span>Lookin at Lucky faces nine in Santa Anita Derby</span></strong></p>
<p>Saturday's $750,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/saderby10.html"><span>Santa Anita Derby (G1)</span></a> has drawn a contentious group of 10 three-year-olds trying to stamp their tickets to the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, but the reappearance of champion LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) could spoil those plans.</p>
<p>Trainer Bob Baffert shipped the bay colt to Oaklawn Park for the March 13 Rebel S. (G2), which was his dirt debut. Lookin at Lucky passed the main track test, but had to work to get the head victory in the 1 1/16-mile test following midrace trouble. His Hall of Fame conditioner opted to take his charge back to California for the Santa Anita Derby instead of staying at Oaklawn for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 10, and Lookin at Lucky will break from the 7 post as the 4-5 morning-line favorite.</p>
<p>Lookin at Lucky owns a 6-1-0 record from seven starts, with his only loss coming as head second following a troubled trip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last season. Regular rider Garrett Gomez has piloting duties once again.</p>
<p>Lookin at Lucky's biggest threat on Saturday should come from SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]). The John Sadler trainee has captured his last two over Santa Anita's Pro-Ride, drawing off to an impressive 4 1/4-length victory in the San Vicente S. (G2) and posting a half-length score in the San Felipe S. (G2). The chestnut, who is the 3-1 second favorite on the morning-line, will break from the 4 post in this one, which should aid his front-running ways under Joe Talamo. </p>
<p>CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams) will be looking for revenge on Sidney's Candy following a third-place finish behind that one in the San Felipe. That was the Mike Machowsky runner's only loss from six starts to date and, like Lookin at Lucky, the chestnut will be trying to make it his only loss. He's the 5-1 third choice with Paul Atkinson in the saddle.</p>
<p>ALPHIE'S BET (Tribal Rule) is the only runner in the Santa Anita Derby who has actually won at the distance. That victory came on March 6 in the Sham S. (G3), where the Alexis Barba-conditioned bay pulled away late to secure the 2 1/4-length win over SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect), who was making his stakes bow in the Sham.</p>
<p>Other interesting Santa Anita Derby prospects include POSSE POWER (Posse), WHO'S UP (Graeme Hall) and CARDIFF GIANT (Yankee Gentleman). Posse Power will be trying Pro-Ride for the first time here after spending his prior six career starts on the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields. He enters this race following a third in the El Camino Real Derby (G3) in his black-type bow. Who's Up will be making his first start since capturing the Generous S. (G3) at Hollywood Park last November, and will be saddled by new trainer Mike Puhich. Cardiff Giant will probably enjoy revisiting the Pro-Ride following a below-par fifth-place effort in the Rebel last out. He, too, will be running for Puhich, while returning to the site of his San Rafael S. (G3) second.</p>
<p>Allowance scorers THOMAS BAINES (Johannesburg) and SKIPSHOT (Skip Away) round out the Santa Anita Derby field.</p>
<p>Santa Anita will host a total of four stakes on Saturday, with the $150,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/arcadia10.html"><span>Arcadia H. (G2)</span></a> highlighting the undercard events. Multiple Grade 2 king BATTLE OF HASTINGS (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) is looking for his first win since taking last year's Virginia Derby (G2). Since then, the Jeff Mullins trainee has run second by a nose in the Del Mar Derby (G2), fourth in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), second by a head in the Oak Tree Derby (G2) and second in the Hollywood Derby (G1).</p>
<p>In his seasonal debut, the four-year-old recorded a third-placing in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) and will have to face the nose runner-up from that event again here in this one-mile turf test. FLUKE (Brz) (Wild Event) captured the Citation H. (G1) in November, then returned to lead nearly all the way home in the Kilroe Mile, just getting nipped on the line while holding Battle of Hastings by 1 1/4 lengths. BLUE CHAGALL (Fr) (Testa Rossa), fourth in the Kilroe Mile, is also part of this seven-horse field.</p>
<p>A field of 10 three-year-old fillies will get their turn on the turf when going 1 1/8 miles in the $150,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/providencia10.html"><span>Providencia S. (G2)</span></a>. CAMILLE C (Roman Dancer), runner-up in the China Doll S. last out over course and distance, will try to turn the tables on the winner CITY TO CITY (City Zip). WARREN'S JITTERBUG (Affirmative), who just missed winning the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) by three necks, and Santa Anita Oaks fifth-placer COZI ROSIE (Pleasantly Perfect) are also in the Providencia.</p>
<p>Nine sprinters are set to line up in the $150,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/potrerogrande10.html"><span>Potrero Grande H. (G2)</span></a> going 6 1/2 furlongs, including EATON'S GIFT (Johannesburg), winner of last year's Smile Sprint H. (G2); Triple Bend H. (G1) runner-up RUSH WITH THUNDER (Tribal Rule); and VENTANA (Toccet), second in the San Carlos H. (G2) and Palos Verdes H. (G2) in his two starts so far this year.</p>
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<p><strong><span>She Be Wild returns in Ashland</span></strong></p>
<p>Grade 1 winner SHE BE WILD (Offlee Wild), recipient of the Eclipse Award as champion two-year-old filly of 2009, will make only her second start of the year on Saturday while facing seven rivals in the $400,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/ashland10.html"><span>Ashland S. (G1)</span></a> at Keeneland. The 1 1/16-mile Polytrack test could be the final chance for the Wayne Catalano charge to prove herself worthy of starting in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on April 30.</p>
<p>She Be Wild closed out her championship juvenile season with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), but didn't do so well in her return nearly three months later in the Forward Gal S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The dark bay miss ran three wide and tired to fifth in that seven-furlong event, which was also her dirt debut. She returns here to the same Polytrack over which she suffered her only other loss, a half-length second to NEGLIGEE (Northern Afleet) in last October's Alcibiades S. (G1). Jose Lezcano picks up the mount on She Be Wild as Julian Leparoux will be riding at Aqueduct on Saturday.</p>
<p>Negligee may have beaten She Be Wild in the Alcibiades, but she wasn't able to duplicate that effort when rallying for sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Trained by John Terranova II, the bay lass was close on the wire, just 1 3/4 lengths back of her rival, and will be making her seasonal bow in this spot off that loss. She earned her only stakes victory to date over Keeneland's Polytrack, and will try to keep her Kentucky record perfect with Rajiv Maragh retaining the mount.</p>
<p>BEAUTICIAN (Dehere) still owns just one win, with that coming when she broke her maiden in he career bow at Churchill Downs last June, but the Kenny McPeek runner has been close against stakes rivals multiple times. So far she's run second in the Schuylerville S. (G3), Spinaway S. (G1), Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Honeybee S. (G3). Her only off-the-board finishes were a fifth in the Alcibiades and a seventh when trying the Cushion Track in the Hollywood Starlet S. (G1). She rebounded nicely off that lackluster effort to make her seasonal bow in the Honeybee last out and will keep Robby Albarado in the saddle for this one.</p>
<p>EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) could make some noise in the Ashland following a pair of seconds in the Santa Ysabel S. (G3) and Las Virgenes S. (G1) at Santa Anita. She captured the California Breeders' Champion S. while going 8 1/2 furlongs and is unplaced just once in her seven-race career. Kent Desormeaux rides the James Cassidy trainee. PROTESTING (A.P. Indy) is another who might offer up a surprise following a two fourth-place finishes against allowance rivals. The Shug McGaughey charge was second in last year's nine-furlong Demoiselle S. (G2) at Aqueduct and broke her maiden prior to that one by five lengths over Keeneland's Polytrack. Javier Castellano has the call.</p>
<p>The other three entrants in the Ashland all have turf backgrounds, which may actually come in handy on the Polytrack. UPPERLINE (Maria's Mon) will be renewing her rivalry with APPLE CHARLOTTE (Smart Strike) after being held to third by that rival in the grassy Herecomesthebride S. (G3). IT'S TEA TIME (Dynaformer), on the other hand, just broke her maiden on February 21 and will be making her stakes bow in this spot.</p>
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<p><strong><span>Quartet to go in Fantasy</span></strong></p>
<p>The decision earlier this week to send Beautician (Dehere) to Keeneland for Saturday's Ashland S. (G1) has left Friday's $300,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/fantasy10.htm"><span>Fantasy S. (G2)</span></a> at Oaklawn Park with only four three-year-old filly prospects, but the quartet, headed by multiple Grade 1 winner BLIND LUCK (Pollard's Vision), is solid on paper. The 1 1/16-mile Good Friday feature kicks off Oaklawn's Racing Festival of the South, which runs through Arkansas Derby Day on April 10.</p>
<p>All eyes will be on Blind Luck, who will be out to prove she has not lost any affinity for running on dirt. After breaking her maiden by more than 13 lengths in a claiming race at Calder last June, the chestnut was privately sold and sent to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in California. While there, she scored or placed in six straight Grade 1 events, winning the Oak Leaf S., Hollywood Starlet S. and Las Virgenes S. Her three losses have been by margins of one length or less, including a three-quarters-of-a-length miss in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies which cost her an Eclipse Award.</p>
<p>The gap between Blind Luck and her rivals, which was at its greatest in her seven-length romp in the Hollywood Starlet, has narrowed significantly this season. After barely getting her nostril up in time in the Las Virgenes, she got on track too late last time in the Santa Anita Oaks and settled for third a half-length behind Crisp (El Corredor).</p>
<p>ALL DUE RESPECT (Value Plus), who led for all but the last few strides of the Santa Anita Oaks, raced exclusively on dirt prior to her excursion to California. A late developer, she lost all four of her starts at two before romping by more than seven lengths in a Fair Grounds maiden on January 24. Jockey Garrett Gomez will likely have her on or close to the lead in the Fantasy, and can easily get the jump on the late-running Blind Luck.</p>
<p>The Oaklawn-based contingent for the Fantasy is made up of NO SUCH WORD (Canadian Frontier) and TIDAL POOL (Yankee Gentleman). The former upset Beautician at 6-1 in the Honeybee S. (G3), the leading local prep for the Fantasy, to remain perfect in two-turn races. Tidal Pool, who earned a 101 BRIS Speed rating when winning a one-mile allowance by eight lengths on February 18, is also likely to show speed but has struggled at this class level in the past having placed just once in five previous stakes attempts.</p>
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derbyFair GroundshandicapkentuckyOaksThu, 01 Apr 2010 16:40:36 +0000Brisnet7375 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comBrisnet Handicappers Edge Fair Grounds Notes 3/23/10http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/brisnet-handicappers-edge-fair-grounds-notes-32310
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<p><strong><span>Discreetly Mine heads baker's dozen in Louisiana Derby</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Discreetly Mine may face more pace pressure than he did in the Risen Star</span></strong><span> (Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)</span>If the Todd Pletcher-trained DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft) makes it to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, he will enter the Kentucky Derby (G1) well versed in the ways of negotiating large fields. The bay defeated 11 rivals when notching his first stakes win in the February 20 Risen Star S. (G2), and will be asked to outrun 12 in Saturday's $750,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/laderby10.htm"><span><span>Louisiana Derby (G2)</span></span></a> over the same Fair Grounds track. He's been installed as the lukewarm 7-2 morning-line favorite and will again be guided by Javier Castellano. </p>
<p>The Louisiana Derby, which will have its latest renewal in many years, anchors a 13-race program on the penultimate day of the 2009-10 Fair Grounds meet. Due to its closer proximity to the Kentucky Derby, the Louisiana version has returned to its original 1 1/8-mile distance, which was last used in 1987.</p>
<p>Discreetly Mine, who placed in the Champagne S. (G1) and Futurity S. (G2) last fall, entered the Risen Star off a fourth in the six-furlong Spectacular Bid S. at Gulfstream. The stretchout to 1 1/16 miles and the lack of other speed aided the bay, who took an uncontested lead and crossed the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front after setting a modest pace. </p>
<p>The fractions might be more lively this time with the likes of WOW WOW WOW (Broken Vow) and THE PROGRAM (Harlan's Holiday) in the mix. The latter is trained by Bob Baffert, who already has prominent classic candidates Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) and Conveyance (Indian Charlie), and enters off respectable minor placings in the Sham S. (G3) and CashCall Futurity (G1).</p>
<p>Among those invading from Florida are A LITTLE WARM (Stormin Fever), who took the Spectacular Bid by 1 1/2 lengths prior to a second to D' Funnybone (D'wildcat) in the Hutcheson S. (G2). The Tony Dutrow charge, listed at 4-1 in the morning line, is taking a big step up in distance stretching out from seven furlongs, and thus might be closer to the pace than what he's shown in recent sprints. MISSION IMPAZIBLE (Unbridled's Song), an even fourth in the Southwest S. (G3) in his two-turn debut, might be more likely to play a pace-setting role for stablemate Discreetly Mine, while nine-furlong allowance winner FLY DOWN (Mineshaft) seeks to give trainer Nick Zito his second biggest classic prep win in the span of a week. </p>
<p>Risen Star also-rans hampered by the soft pace of that race will seek to make amends on Saturday. RON THE GREEK (Full Madate), who turned in an explosive run to capture the Lecomte S. (G3) in January, perhaps took the worst of it as the deepest closer erased a near nine-length deficit to finish sixth, 4 1/4 lengths in back of Discreetly Mine. Making up almost as much ground was fifth-placer STAY PUT (Broken Vow), who also lagged far behind early and was only a short margin ahead of Ron the Greek during the early part of the race. DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor), who went favored in the Risen Star at 2-1, was no worse than sixth throughout the Risen Star but only creeped up to fourth by the finish. HOTEP (A.P. Indy), meanwhile, showed little when settling for 10th and would need vast improvement to contend here.</p>
<p>The remainder of the Louisiana Derby field, consisting of locally-based runners, will be tested for class. BACKTRACK (Grand Slam) enters undefeated after two starts, both at six furlongs. Claimed for $25,000 off his winning debut, trainer Gary Scherer upped the gelding in class next time and knocked out his entry-level allowance condition by a length at 27-1. The other two, on the other hand, do have two-turn experience. MISTER MARTI GRAS (Belong to Me), proficient on dirt, displayed some turf prowess when graduating last time over the infield course by a half-length. ISLAND SOUL (Perfect Soul [Ire]), who took an off-the-turf maiden in late January, returned to finish second against entry-level allowance foes in the slop for Steve Asmussen.</p>
<p><strong><span>Pletcher holds strong hand in New Orleans, Muniz Memorial</span></strong></p>
<p>In addition to having the early favorite in the Louisiana Derby (G2) with Discreetly Mine (Mineshaft), trainer Todd Pletcher will enter New Orleans on Saturday well-equipped to land the two marquee events on the undercard for older males, the $300,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/nohcp10.htm"><span><span>New Orleans H. (G2)</span></span></a> at 1 1/8 miles and the $300,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/muniz10.htm"><span><span>Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2)</span></span></a> at about the same distance over the turf.</p>
<p>For the New Orleans, Pletcher has the unlikeliest of favorites in BATTLE PLAN (Empire Maker), a five-year-old with just four career starts to his credit and none in a stakes. However, the Overbrook homebred possesses a blue-blooded pedigree and an impressive three-race win streak heading into his stakes debut. </p>
<p>Produced by the 1994 juvenile filly champion Flanders, who died last month, Battle Plan is a half-brother to 2000 champion three-year-old filly Surfside. Presumably beset by physical issues for much of his career, he did not debut until November of his three-year-old season when he finished a well-beaten eighth. He reached the winner's circle at Gulfstream two months later, however, but again fell victim to infirmities and was shelved for nearly a year. Returning to the track on January 8, Battle Plan has been able to string two races together at Gulfstream, earning facile allowance wins by 3 1/4 lengths and five lengths, respectively. The latter, over the New Orleans distance of nine furlongs, was good enough to earn a strong 111 BRIS Speed rating.</p>
<p>GENERAL QUARTERS (Sky Mesa), a bridesmaid throughout the Fair Grounds meet including seconds in the Mineshaft H. (G3) and Louisiana H., is due for better racing luck. Runner-up to arch-rival Friesan Fire (A.P. Indy) in the Louisiana two back, the Tom McCarthy charge was beaten a neck in the Mineshaft by 16-1 outsider STONEHOUSE (Chester House), who would likely produce additional fireworks if he were to pull off another win. GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway), two lengths third in the Mineshaft in his first start of the season, has the potential to move way up second time off the bench.</p>
<p>The other major threats in the New Orleans are Grade 2 veterans AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again) and HOLD ME BACK (Giant's Causeway), as well as Louisiana-bred ace STAR GUITAR (Quiet American). Awesome Gem has spent the better part of his career competing on turf and synthetics even though most of his success has occurred on dirt. In his last two starts on a conventional surface, he won the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) by more than a length and was second, beaten less than a length, in the Longacres Mile (G3). Hold Me Back, on the other hand, might be more partial to synthetics having taken the Lane's End S. (G2) and running second in the Blue Grass S. (G1) last year. Though his last two starts on dirt resulted in second-place efforts, the Travers S. (G1) was held over a sloppy track while a recent Gulfstream allowance did not come up especially strong.</p>
<p>Star Guitar, who has won 12 of 15 lifetime, will be taking his second stab at the New Orleans following a nondescript seventh in the slop last year. A dominant figure in state-bred company, the five-year-old has shown signs of competence against open foes when taking the Evangeline Mile and running third in the Alysheba S. (G3) last season.</p>
<p>Pletcher's ace in the hole for the Muniz is BLUES STREET (Street Cry [Ire]), a high-end claimer in New York and Florida who completely dominated eight rivals in the course-and-distance Fair Grounds H. (G3) on February 20. He will be joined by fellow Florida invaders JET PROPULSION (Double Honor) and PICKAPOCKET (Mecke), one-two in the Sunshine Millions Turf in January, and BALETTI (Gulch), who has won three of his last four, the one loss being a third in the King Edward H. (Can-G2) at Woodbine.</p>
<p>The strongest of the local contingent is EL CABALLO (El Corredor), who missed upsetting this race by a nose at 17-1 last season. The six-year-old subsequently showed that performance was no fluke, winning two of his next three starts including the Colonel E.R. Bradley H. (G3) last time.</p>
<p>Others to watch for are YATE'S BLACK CAT (Black Minnaloushe), who took a minor stakes at Mountaineer Park over Blues Street last summer; PICK SIX (Dynaformer), a head second in the Buddy Diliberto Memorial S. in his lone trip over the Fair Grounds sod; and FEELS ALL RIGHT (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), third in the Mac Diarmida S. (G2) in his U.S. debut four weeks ago.</p>
<p>A field of only five will line up for the $105,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/kenner10.htm"><span><span>Duncan F. Kenner S.</span></span></a> for older horses over six furlongs. KENSEI (Mr. Greeley), who notched the Dwyer S. (G2) and Jim Dandy S. (G2) after missing last year's Triple Crown, makes his return from a layoff of more than five months for Steve Asmussen. Co-owned by Stonestreet Stables' Jess Jackson, the bay has been idle since a third in the Jerome H. (G1) in October. </p>
<p>The likely favorites for the Kenner, however, are sprint specialists CASH REFUND (Petionville) and EUROEARS (Langfuhr). Cash Refund has won four of five including the F.W. Gaudin Memorial S. in impressive fashion last time. Euroears, who took this race two years ago, saw his two-race win streak snapped in the Gaudin when he was a virtually-eased sixth after chasing Cash Refund early on.</p>
<p>The $60,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/grindstone10.htm"><span><span>Grindstone S.</span></span></a> for three-year-olds at about 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf, and the $60,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/crescentderby10.htm"><span><span>Crescent City Derby</span></span></a> for three-year-old Louisiana-breds at 1 1/16 miles, will also be run Saturday.</p>
<p><strong><span>Jody Slew entered in Fair Grounds Oaks</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Jody Slew (outside) gutted out the win in the Silverbulletday</span></strong><span> (Lynn Roberts/Hodges Photography)</span> </p>
<p>Silverbulletday S. (G3) winner JODY SLEW (Slew City Slew), who was considered unlikely for Friday's $300,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/fgoaks10.html"><span><span>Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)</span></span></a> Saturday morning due to days of missed training after being cast in her stall last week, was doing much better Sunday morning during training hours and was entered in Friday's main event for three-year-old fillies.</p>
<p>&quot;She jogged a mile and galloped a mile this morning and looked good doing it,&quot; trainer Bret Calhoun said shortly after her Sunday training. &quot;She looked very happy out there, so we'll continue to take it day-by-day this week and not make any decisions (on the Fair Grounds Oaks) until we have to. But her performance today was very encouraging for us.&quot;</p>
<p>Should Jody Slew run in the Fair Grounds Oaks and win it, she would become the first filly in Fair Grounds history to sweep all three legs of the Crescent City oval's series for three-year-old members of the distaff set, after winning the $75,000 Tiffany Lass S. on January 23 and then coming back to capture the February 20 Silverbulletday.</p>
<p>AILALEA (Pulpit), clearly best in Aqueduct's Tempted S. (G3) on November 7 in the final start of her juvenile campaign, has been installed as the lukewarm 3-1 morning-line choice in the wagering for the 44th running of the Fair Grounds Oaks. During four of the last five local season, the winner of the 1 1/16-mile test has gone on to take the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, and the Todd Pletcher-trained Ailalea will attempt to add her name to that list.</p>
<p><strong><span>Ailalea's last win came in the Tempted at Aqueduct</span></strong><span> (Ross Woodson/Horsephotos.com)</span> </p>
<p>The bay lass returned off a two-month break to run sixth in her only start this winter, the Forward Gal S. (G2) on January 31 at Gulfstream Park. Javier Castellano, who shipped in to ride the Pletcher trainees during Louisiana Derby Preview Day on February 20 and posed in the winner's circle astride two of those that day, will be aboard Ailalea in Friday's race.</p>
<p>Following a 7 3/4-length victory in the Delta Princess S. (G3), QUIET TEMPER (Quiet American) entered the Fair Grounds season with some high expectations and immediately appeared ready to live up to them with a 1 1/4-length score in an allowance/optional claimer at the New Orleans venue. She hasn't visited the winner's circle since, though, finishing a tiring fifth in the Tiffany Lass and just being caught by Jody Slew on the wire of the Silverbulletday after setting the pace in that 8 1/2-furlong event. Assigned 7-2 morning-line second favoritism in the Fair Grounds Oaks, the Dale Romans trainee will keep Robby Albarado in the saddle.</p>
<p>Other contenders in the Fair Grounds Oaks field of 11 include MAMBO FEVER (Stormin Fever) and CHAMPAGNE D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro). Mambo Fever was second to Ailalea in the Tempted last year and opened her sophomore season with another second in an allowance at Gulfstream Park. She just missed second by a head when finishing third in the Davona Dale S. (G2) at that track last out, and will get David Cohen, last aboard for the Tempted, returning to the irons.</p>
<p>Champagne d'Oro has spent all but one of her seven career starts running on the synthetics in California. She made her dirt debut last out at Fair Grounds and immediately broke her maiden in front-running fashion. John Jacinto retains the mount.</p>
<p><strong><span>Tizaqueena was a nice winner of the Distaff Turf Mile last season</span></strong><span> (EquiSport Photos)</span> </p>
<p>Three undercard stakes have also been scheduled for Friday, and TIZAQUEENA (Tiznow) is the strong 9-5 favorite for the $100,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/bayou10.html"><span><span>Bayou H.</span></span></a> The Michael Stidham trainee captured the Distaff Turf Mile (G2) on Kentucky Derby Day last spring and most recently was seen adding the Allen Lacombe Memorial H. to her line on February 27. Leading rider Shaun Bridgmohan will handle the reins on the five-year-old mare in the about nine-furlong test over the Stall-Wilson turf course.</p>
<p>There are eight named to oppose Tizaqueena in the Bayou, including CATEGORY SEVEN (Gulf Storm) and NEVER RETREAT (Smart Strike). The latter mare was a neck up on Category Seven in the Furl Sail H., but was disqualified and placed second after drifting into her rival. James Graham has the call on Never Retreat, while Richard Eramia will be the pilot on Category Seven.</p>
<p>Eleven Louisiana-bred three-year-old fillies will take center stage in the $60,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/crescentcityoaks10.html"><span><span>Crescent City Oaks</span></span></a>. SHEZACRAZYGIRL (Ide) has been installed as the 8-5 morning-line choice in the one-mile-and-40-yard event. Albarado will be up on the Al Stall Jr. charge, who captured the Premier Night Starlet S. last out.</p>
<p>Prior to the Crescent City Oaks, 11 distaffers, including one main-track only runner, has been entered to sprint about 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in the $60,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/bienville10.html"><span><span>Bienville S.</span></span></a> Dual stakes scorer COY CAT (Hold That Tiger) will attempt to get back to her winnings ways after running second and third in black-type events at Fair Grounds this winter. The Paul McGee is the defending champ of this race and will have Albarado in the irons.</p>
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brisbrisnetFair GroundsTue, 23 Mar 2010 15:02:46 +0000Brisnet7269 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comBrisnet Handicappers Edge Fair Grounds notes 3/15/10http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/brisnet-handicappers-edge-fair-grounds-notes-31510
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<p><b><span>Rachel Alexandra exits debut in good condition, will miss Apple Blossom</span></b></p>
<p><img width="325" src="http://www.brisnet.com/pictures/zardana3-13,2.jpg" /><b><span>Rachel Alexandra (inside) just got run down by Zardana (outside) in the New Orleans Ladies</span></b><span> (Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)</span>
</p><p>Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) was in good order Sunday, the morning following her second-place finish to Zardana (Brz) (Crimson Tide) at Fair Grounds in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies, but will miss the April 9 Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park, co-owner Jess Jackson announced.</p>
<p>&quot;Yesterday's race, while a disappointment, helped us define Rachel Alexandra's racing condition,&quot; Jackson explained. &quot;While she is healthy, just as I had anticipated, she is not in top form. Therefore, I decided today she will not be going to the (Apple Blossom) Invitational on April 9.</p>
<p>&quot;(Trainer) Steve (Asmussen) and I discussed this fully and we now regret we tried to accelerate her training in order meet the Apple Blossom schedule. We have a whole season before us to help define her greatness. She will tell us when her next race will be.&quot;</p>
<p>Plans were already in place before the New Orleans Ladies for Rachel Alexandra to leave the Crescent City on Monday for Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she was expected to meet dual champion Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]). The Apple Blossom was to carry a $5 million purse if both runners stated, but with Jackson keeping his star filly in the barn the race will revert to its original status, with a purse of $500,000.</p>
<p>&quot;We tried and we really wanted to go (to the Apple Blossom),&quot; Jackson said. &quot;It's unfortunate but the timing just wasn't right. For the health of the horse. It's obvious she's not in top shape. The race (Saturday) was to define how far along she was. I repeatedly told people she was only 80 or 85 percent of what I thought was up to her top condition last year. That race proved it.&quot;</p>
<p>Jackson was noncommittal on the four-year-old filly's major goals for the year. </p>
<p>&quot;It's up to her,&quot; he stated. &quot;She has to show us that she's back up to her '09 form. We had progressively accelerated her conditioning and it didn't work, so we're going to gear back, let her develop at her own pace. I can't give you a prediction as to when but it might take a couple of months.&quot;</p>
<p>&quot;We're disappointed that we're not going to be able to face each other in the Apple Blossom,&quot; said Zenyatta's owner, Jerry Moss. &quot;Hopefully we can meet down the line. We respect both Steve and Mr. Jackson as horsemen and they're going to do what's right for their horse. That's all anybody could ask for.</p>
<p>&quot;We'll go on to the Apple Blossom as planned,&quot; he added.</p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra was making her four-year-old debut in the New Orleans Ladies off a six-month break, having last raced on September 5 when taking the Woodward S. (G1). Her training schedule suffered many setbacks during the winter due to weather.</p>
<p>&quot;She came back well,&quot; Asmussen said. &quot;She ate last night, very sound this morning, walked the shed row well. I'm very pleased with that.&quot;</p>
<p>Reflecting on Saturday's race, in which Rachel Alexandra stalked the early pacesetter and assumed the lead around the far turn before yielding to the eventual winner, Asmussen was still &quot;disappointed&quot; but remains steadfast in his belief that she simply was not fit enough to win and has much improvement ahead of her.</p>
<p>&quot;We had talked about her being 75 or 80-percent fit,&quot; he said. &quot;The filly got tired but she cooled out fine and came back well from it; it's just a case if we can move forward in a positive direction fitness-wise, as well as with everything else. Yesterday's race is over. We can analyze it all we want, but her physical condition and her state of mind are what we need to concern ourselves with and we'll address that moving forward.&quot;</p>
<p>Asked to expand on her state of mind this morning, Asmussen said, &quot;I was pleased with it today. She was relaxed in her stall. She went to her tub when we fed her last night and cleaned up everything. Walked well this morning and seemed very comfortable in her stall this morning.&quot;</p>
<p><b><span>Zardana to spend a few more days enjoying New Orleans</span></b></p>
<p>Frankie Leal, stable foreman for California-based trainer John Shirreffs and the man who accompanied New Orleans Ladies S. heroine ZARDANA (Brz) (Crimson Tide) to Fair Grounds, was unsurprisingly all smiles Sunday morning outside his mare's home-away-from-home in trainer Wally Dollase's barn. </p>
<p>&quot;That race yesterday was amazing,&quot; Leal said as he accepted congratulations on Zardana's accomplishment in defeating Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro). &quot;You know, I had a big feeling she might win because she had been acting so happy ever since she got here. </p>
<p>&quot;I always thought she'd run real well on dirt. Her races in South America were on dirt and she won them all by big margins, but she hadn't run on dirt in almost two years, so I couldn't be sure. </p>
<p>&quot;I don't think she likes that surface (Pro-Ride) at Santa Anita very much,&quot; Leal continued. &quot;She doesn't mind the track at Hollywood (Cushion Track) so much, but she just doesn't look very comfortable when she gets on the track at Santa Anita. </p>
<p>&quot;But she sure looks happy this morning. She ate up today and she seems to be enjoying your weather (in New Orleans). </p>
<p>&quot;I think she's very proud of herself, but I'm wondering if she's thinking, 'What have I gotten myself into? I just beat the Horse of the Year, maybe now they'll want me to go back and run against the big horse (Zenyatta [Street Cry [Ire]) in our barn.' </p>
<p>&quot;There's not another flight back to California until the 18th, so at least she'll have a few days to relax and enjoy herself here, because she sure likes it here.&quot;</p>
<p>Cincy Dollase was just getting back to the barn from the track just after Leal returned to his duties looking after Zardana, and was eager to relive the Dollase family's moments with owner Arnold Zetcher in the paddock before the New Orleans Ladies and in the winner's circle afterwards.</p>
<p>&quot;Yesterday was so much fun,&quot; she said. &quot;Mr. Zetcher is such a nice, gracious man. He went up to Jess Jackson (Rachel Alexandra's principal owner) in the paddock and complimented him on his filly before the race and told him how much he admired her and the way they have conducted her campaign. I thought that was a wonderful gesture.</p>
<p>&quot;I really didn't think Zardana could beat her,&quot; Dollase confided. &quot;I thought the best Zardana could do was get second. I told Mr. Zetcher and Frankie that we might be the only people in the stands cheering for Zardana, but we'd give it our best.</p>
<p>&quot;But you know who really had fun yesterday was our daughter Aimee,&quot; she concluded. &quot;She got to put the saddle on Zardana and that was a big moment for her. Afterwards, she said, ‘Now, I'll always be able to say I saddled a horse that beat the Horse of the Year.'&quot;</p>
<p>UNFORGOTTEN (Northern Afleet), who finished third in the New Orleans Ladies behind Zardana and Rachel Alexandra, left her trainer Dallas Stewart feeling &quot;very good&quot; Sunday morning at his barn. </p>
<p>&quot;I was very proud of her and the way she ran,&quot; Stewart said.</p>
<p>Marcelino Jacuinde, Stewart's assistant trainer, reported that Unforgotten &quot;ate up everything as usual&quot; on Sunday morning. </p>
<p>&quot;She's doing fine,&quot; Jacuinde said. &quot;She always comes out of her races well. She's always been a very sound mare.&quot;</p>
<p>FIGHTER WING (Empire Maker), who set the pace in the New Orleans Ladies before fading to fourth, also came out of the race in good order, according to trainer Greg Geier during training hours Sunday morning.</p>
<p>&quot;She's happy as a lark this morning,&quot; Geier said. &quot;That race yesterday didn't take that much out of her. She's doing just fine today.&quot;</p>
<p>CLEAR SAILING (Empire Maker), who never entered the fray in the New Orleans Ladies, was diagnosed with a low-grade lung infection, trainer Glenn Delahoussaye reported late Sunday morning.</p>
<p>&quot;Right now, we've got her on a broad-based antibiotic,&quot; said Delahoussaye, who hauled his filly back to the Evangeline Training Center Saturday night and was driving back to New Orleans Sunday morning. &quot;Now, we'll try to come back with a more specific antibiotic when we figure out the best way to treat it. We're going to have to go over her with a fine-tooth comb.</p>
<p>&quot;I thought she was going to run really well yesterday and when she didn't I knew something must be wrong,&quot; Delahoussaye said. &quot;Shane Sellers (Clear Sailing's jockey) said she never even picked up the bridle. She just didn't show up, so he didn't abuse her and I'm really grateful to him for that.</p>
<p>&quot;I knew Rachel wasn't quite at her peak in her training yesterday, and I figured if there was ever a time to beat her, yesterday was it. I was right about that, but I was thinking it was going to be my filly that beat her. That's the way this game is -- chicken one day, feathers the next. Yesterday, I was hoping I was going to get chicken but it didn't work out. We'll back off on her for at least 30 days and then start back with her very slowly.</p>
<p>&quot;Nevertheless, we were very proud to be there at the dance yesterday,&quot; Delahoussaye added. &quot;We really enjoyed being a part of the whole experience, and you've got to be able to take the good with the bad in this business.&quot;</p>
<p><b><span>On the Louisiana worktab</span></b></p>
<p>Lecomte S. (G3) king <b>RON THE GREEK</b> (Full Mandate), off-the-board in the Risen Star S. (G2) last out, breezed three-quarters in 1:13 2/5 over Fair Grounds fast dirt on Sunday. The Tom Amoss trainee is readying for the March 27 Louisiana Derby (G2).</p>
<p>Grade 3-placed multiple stakes victor <b>STAR GUITAR</b> (Quiet American), an easy winner of the Premier Night Championship in his 2010 debut, logged five furlongs in 1:03 4/5. The five-year-old stakes veteran is expected to contest the New Orleans H. (G2) on March 27 for trainer Al Stall Jr.</p>
<p>Multiple Grade 2-placed stakes scorer <b>GIANT OAK</b> (Giant's Causeway), third in the Mineshaft H. (G2) most recently, posted six panels in 1:13 2/5, also in advance of the New Orleans.</p>
<p>Multiple Grade 3 winner <b>DEMARCATION</b> (Gulch), unplaced in the Buddy Diliberto Memorial H. last out in his seasonal finale, breezed four furlongs in :49 3/5.</p>
<p>Grade 3 hero <b>HULL</b> (Holy Bull), unraced since running fourth in the June 6 Woody Stephens S. (G2), covered five-eighths in :59 4/5.</p>
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<p><b><a href="http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/banner_click.cgi?from=1:4427&amp;to=767"><span>Kentucky Derby Trail</span></a></b><br />transcript from Friday </p>
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brisbrisnetFair GroundsMon, 15 Mar 2010 16:46:39 +0000Brisnet7089 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comBrisnet Fair Grounds and Kentucky Derby notes 2/26/10http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/brisnet-fair-grounds-and-kentucky-derby-notes-22610
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<p align="center"><em><strong><span>KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT</span></strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong><span>FEBRUARY 25, 2010</span></strong></p>
<p>by <a href="mailto:james.scully@brisnet.com"><span><span>James Scully</span></span></a></p>
<p>In a busy weekend with many Kentucky Derby (G1) storylines, two stood out for this observer: ESKENDEREYA's (Giant's Causeway) spectacular victory in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2), and DUBLIN's (Afleet Alex) excellent runner-up effort in the Southwest S. (G3).</p>
<p><strong>Fountain of Youth</strong></p>
<p>Eskendereya cruised in second until the far turn and then annihilated his competition in the 1 1/8-mile Fountain of Youth, drawing off to an 8 1/2-length victory. He was a beauty to behold with his powerful acceleration through the stretch, netting a 112 BRIS Late Pace rating as well as plenty of adulation for lies ahead.</p>
<p>&quot;I was particularly pleased with the way he finished,&quot; trainer Todd Pletcher noted. &quot;I don't think we've ever gotten to the bottom of him.&quot;</p>
<p>With a mouth-watering pedigree for the 1 1/4-mile Derby distance, Eskendereya vaulted up every Kentucky Derby list on Saturday. Out of the Seattle Slew mare Aldebaran Light, his female family includes the likes of Halo, a two-time Derby-winning sire, and 1974 Derby winner Cannonade. Owner Zayat Stables, who finished second in the 2009 Derby with the Bob Baffert-trained Pioneerof the Nile, has a potential gold mine in the chestnut colt.</p>
<p>Unbeaten in three dirt starts, Eskendereya's only losses have came over turf and synthetic. He wasn't the same performer when struggling home ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) on Pro-Ride -- his stride is different over a conventional racetrack. The Kentucky-bred broke his maiden by 7 1/4 lengths in the off-the-turf Pilgrim S. at Belmont Park last October and opened his three-year-old season with a 1 1/4-length victory in a one-turn mile allowance at Gulfstream Park on January 7. He finished up impressively in the latter, giving every indication that he would relish additional ground, and exceeded expectations in the Fountain of Youth.</p>
<p>The track favored his running style and the competition was perhaps lacking after main rival BUDDY'S SAINT (Saint Liam) lost all chance on the first turn, but take nothing away from Eskendereya -- he's got so much going for him and is developing into a star right now. His 103 BRIS Speed rating was the best of all Derby preps over the weekend and there's plenty of room for improvement in that department. It's best not to get too excited off a single performance in February, but Eskendereya looked like something very special in the Fountain of Youth.</p>
<p>JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) put pressure on Eskendereya midway on the far turn but wasn't able to keep up after turning into the stretch. After enduring a less-than-stellar journey when second in the one-mile Holy Bull S. (G3), he had no excuses Saturday and barely held second over AIKENITE (Yes It's True), who endured a terrible trip early in the race. Jackson Bend needs to show more in his next start for Nick Zito and could run better with a change in venue (the April 3 Wood Memorial S. [G1] is likely next), but he's got serious distance concerns for the Derby based upon pedigree and his effort in the Fountain of Youth. Aikenite was too keen from the start and wound up being jostled around in the logjam that doomed Buddy's Saint. He recovered to finish a respectable third, but it's difficult to envision him wanting more ground than nine furlongs.</p>
<p>Buddy's Saint, who ranked as a leading Derby contender following smashing victories in the Remsen S. (G2) and Nashua S. (G2) last fall, got bounced around like a pinball on the first turn, forcing jockey Jose Lezcano to take a strong hold and check out of a tight pocket, and was then rank on the backstretch. He understandably tired to ninth in a throw-out performance, but trainer Bruce Levine's scheduled two-race campaign now looks like a disaster. With the last two Derby winners receiving only two preps at three, it's a viable strategy as long as the horse gets something out of both races, but that doesn't appear to be the case with Buddy's Saint. Levine has plenty of time to regroup and get two useful preps into the colt, with three weeks until both the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Rebel S. (G3) on March 13 and another three-week gap to the April 3 Wood Memorial, but he sounds intent upon remaining inflexible, with only one more appearance before May 1. That begs the question: how fit will Buddy's Saint be on Derby Day?</p>
<p><strong>Southwest</strong></p>
<p>CONVEYANCE (Indian Charlie) shot right to the lead when the gates opened in the one-mile Southwest and after opening a 2 1/2-length advantage at the head of the stretch, held on to win by three-quarters of a length over the fast-closing Dublin. A front-running winner of the January 16 San Rafael S. (G3) in his previous outing, the Baffert-trained winner stretched his perfect mark to four-for-four while making his dirt debut and registered a career-best 102 BRIS Speed rating. He's a talented colt with lots of promise, but 10 furlongs remains a tall task going forward. There's already a preponderance of early speed lining up for this year's Derby, and Conveyance doesn't look like the type that's going to comfortably relax behind other horses.</p>
<p>Dublin stumbled two jumps after the break and was rank entering the clubhouse turn, tossing his head as jockey Terry Thompson tried to get him to settle. He made up some ground while traveling wide on the far turn, but the chestnut didn't find his best stride until straightening into the short stretch run at Oaklawn Park, closing with a rush to just miss. It was a very encouraging sophomore debut for the long-striding colt, who established himself as a serious contender for three-time Derby victor D. Wayne Lukas.</p>
<p>A good-looking winner of the seven-furlong Hopeful S. (G1) at Saratoga, Dublin rounded out 2009 with a pair of dull efforts in the Champagne S. (G1) and Iroquois S. (G3). He had surgery to correct an entrapped epiglottis following the latter and returned to the worktab with a flourish this winter, recording four bullet works at Oaklawn prior to the Southwest. Lukas knows how to get a three-year-old ready for his best on the first Saturday in May, and Dublin figures to keep moving forward off Saturday's effort. He's got the pedigree to thrive at classic distances, and earned career-best BRIS Speed (101) and Late Pace (100) numbers last weekend.</p>
<p><strong>Risen Star</strong></p>
<p>Saturday's Risen Star S. (G2) didn't answer many questions as the top four finishers basically stuck in their positions through much of the paceless race. DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft) surprisingly sprinted clear at the start and slowed it down through a tedious opening quarter-mile in :24 3/5, with TEMPTED TO TAPIT (Tapit) and NORTHERN GIANT (Giant's Causeway) galloping along behind him in second and third, and when DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor) moved to fourth after a moderate half-mile in :48 3/5, the order of finish remained unchanged the rest of the way in the 1 1/16-mile event.</p>
<p>Considering how favorably Fair Grounds was playing toward early speed on Saturday, it's an understatement to say that the winner had everything his own way on the front end. However, Discreetly Mine must be given his due for a commendable performance in his two-turn bow. A 6 1/4-length maiden scorer at Saratoga, the bay colt concluded last year with runner-up finishes in the Futurity S. (G2) and Champagne. He's out of Alabama S. (G1) winner Pretty Discreet and counts Grade 1-winning millionaire Discreet Cat as a half-brother, so the pedigree is there for the Kentucky Derby, and Discreetly Mine is eligible to keep improving for Pletcher. He received a decent 97 BRIS Speed rating for his 1 1/2-length decision, and it will be interesting to see what happens when he likely reverts to stalking tactics in his next engagement.</p>
<p>Tempted to Tapit ran a big race off a runaway maiden special weight victory at Aqueduct on January 18, and the gray gelding appears to have a nice future for Steve Klesaris. Out of a mare by 1996 Belmont S. (G1) winner Editor's Note, he's got the pedigree to stretch out effectively, but he's still playing catch-up to more seasoned rivals and must continue to move forward in his final Derby prep. Northern Giant is another possible up-and-comer. An 11 1/4-length maiden winner in the slop at Oaklawn in his previous start, the Lukas trainee out-finished the highly-touted Drosselmeyer in deep stretch and missed second by only a neck. He was 53-1 on Saturday, but Northern Giant now merits respect.</p>
<p>Drosselmeyer was favored at 2-1 off a convincing allowance tally at Gulfstream that netted him a 105 BRIS Speed rating, but he didn't corner well last time prior to kicking on strongly in the stretch. The Bill Mott colt came under a vigorous ride once again from Kent Desormeaux on the far turn Saturday, but this time he lacked the same finishing kick, giving up third-place honors after passing Northern Giant between calls in midstretch. With only $12,000 in graded earnings, Drosselmeyer must rebound with a much-improved performance next time.</p>
<p>I'm willing to significantly upgrade the performances of late runners STAY PUT (Broken Vow) and RON THE GREEK (Full Mandate), who were 10th and 11th, respectively, after the opening half-mile in the Risen Star. Both passed a lot of horses in the final five-sixteenths of a mile, with Stay Put finishing a length behind Drosselmeyer in fifth and Ron the Greek another 1 1/2 lengths back in sixth, and they earned BRIS Late Pace ratings of 109 (Stay Put) and 114 (Ron the Greek) for their commendable rallies. The pace/track didn't play to their strengths, and circumstances could be much different next time.</p>
<p>Ron the Greek isn't in a bad spot with $63,000 in graded earnings, but Stay Put ($12,000 graded earnings) has little room for error.</p>
<p><strong>Hutcheson</strong></p>
<p>D' FUNNYBONE (D'wildcat), who made headlines last year with convincing sprint victories in the Futurity and Saratoga Special S. (G2), returned to a comfortable seven-furlong distance in Saturday's Hutcheson (G2) and was never threatened en route to a one-length decision. The Richard Dutrow trainee will get the opportunity to stretch back out to a route next time in the March 20 Florida Derby (G1).</p>
<p>There's no doubting his talent in one-turn events. After registering century-topping BRIS Speed ratings in his aforementioned stakes victories, the chestnut colt received a 100 Speed figure on Saturday. He relaxed a couple of lengths off the stiff early pace, moved smoothly into contention on the far turn and was always going well as he powered home under Edgar Prado. However, it's difficult to take much out of his performance in terms of the Kentucky Derby.</p>
<p>Dutrow is willing to write off the colt's last-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile to the synthetic track at Santa Anita, but D' Funnybone must still prove that he can handle two turns. It will be no surprise to see him better-suited to distances up to a mile.</p>
<p><strong>El Camino Real Derby</strong></p>
<p>With his 1 1/4-length victory in the El Camino Real Derby (G3), CONNEMARA (Giant's Causeway) provided Pletcher with a hat trick on Saturday. After breaking slowly and trailing during the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile prep, the well-bred colt was in full stride while widest off all on the far turn and appeared ready to slingshot past the leaders at the top of the stretch. The chestnut had to work hard to get past, though, and eventually drew clear late.</p>
<p>He didn't face any legitimate Derby contenders at Golden Gate and came home pretty slowly, netting only a 85 BRIS Late Pace rating. His 85 BRIS Speed rating was even more disappointing. That equaled the career-best number he earned when coming up short as the 3-5 favorite in the January 16 California Derby over the Tapeta, and Connemara doesn't look fast enough to topple better competition at this juncture in his career.</p>
<p>A half-brother to multiple Grade 1 hero and 2004 Derby runner-up Lion Heart, Connemara still has time to improve before the Derby and would be eligible to move forward on dirt next time, but the Coolmore-owned colt figures to remain exclusively synthetic until arriving at Churchill Downs a couple of days prior to the Derby. Connemara can't be viewed as one of the top prospects in a deep Pletcher stable that is seeking to end a zero-for-24 skid in the Derby.</p>
<p><strong>Upcoming</strong></p>
<p>Saturday's Sham S. (G3) is the lone graded event for three-year-old Derby hopefuls this weekend, and the well-regarded SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect) will make his graded debut in the 1 1/8-mile race for Richard Mandella. NEXTDOORNEIGHBOR (Lido Palace [Chi]), who broke his maiden by four lengths when stretching out to a route on January 24, is an intriguing prospect for Michael Machowsky, and recent allowance winner THE PROGRAM (Harlan's Holiday), who finished fourth in the CashCall Futurity (G1), will merit serious consideration from the Baffert barn.</p>
<p><strong><span>Rachel Alexandra breezes six furlongs</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Rachel continues preparing for her 2010 debut</span></strong><span> (Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)</span> </p>
<p>Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) had her farthest workout yet Wednesday in advance of the March 13 New Orleans Ladies, breezing a businesslike six furlongs in 1:14 over a fast main track at Fair Grounds with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard. The four-year-old filly recorded splits of :13, :25 1/5, :37 3/5, :49 4/5 and 1:02, and galloped out seven furlongs in a strong 1:27.</p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra's two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen, who observed from horseback, called the work &quot;ideal&quot; and &quot;way easier&quot; than her last move on February 18, when she breezed five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 but was noticeably keen early on. </p>
<p>Asmussen said Wednesday's work was just what they were looking for as Rachel Alexandra prepares not only for the New Orleans Ladies, but her showdown with champion older female Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the April 9 Apple Blossom Invitational (G1) at Oaklawn Park.</p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra and Terry stepped onto the track from the half-mile gap at 6:15 a.m. (CST), accompanied by assistant trainer Scott Blasi aboard his pony. Unlike past works when Rachel Alexandra would walk or jog &quot;the wrong way,&quot; clockwise, before starting her serious exercise, she took a right-hand turn onto the track and jogged around the far turn toward the finish line. Asmussen said that minor change was because Rachel Alexandra was breezing a longer distance on Wednesday. </p>
<p>&quot;Got into it,&quot; Asmussen exclaimed. &quot;It's time to do something.&quot;</p>
<p>As with previous works, Blasi stayed with Rachel Alexandra aboard his pony through the stretch before sending the star filly and Terry off approaching the clubhouse turn. Rachel Alexandra worked from the three-quarters pole to the finish line.</p>
<p>Asmussen complimented Terry's execution of this morning's plan, and the exercise rider could be seen smiling as Rachel Alexandra pulled up on the backstretch. </p>
<p>&quot;Dom split off 'the right way' with her, galloped her around the pole and let her work,&quot; Asmussen said. &quot;Dom did it to a 'T' and if I wanted something different I should have asked him.&quot;</p>
<p align="center"><em><strong><span>FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK</span></strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong><span>FEBRUARY 25, 2010</span></strong></p>
<p>by Frank Cotolo</p>
<p>A fast and clear week at Fair Grounds presented 40 races in four programs. </p>
<p>The public was sharp every day except Saturday, the big stakes day, when only one public choice surfaced a winner. The other three days made up for the poor public-betting record; when the smoke cleared, the public-choice toll was back up to recent heights, with a 43-percent figure.</p>
<p><strong>On the surface</strong></p>
<p>Twenty-six races were sprints and routes on the main course last week, with 14 going on the green. Speed made a good impression on the main track, with 27 percent of the winners going wire to wire and 38 percent winning from close to the pace.</p>
<p>Together, wire-to-wire wins and close-to-the-pace speed made up 65 percent of the wins. That left 35 percent to be won from off the pace, though few of those were wins from far back. Though no particular figures have been calculated, a general look at the come-from-behind dirt races doesn't say much for last-to-first winners. Midpack closers, still relatively close to the pace, make up most the off-the-pace stats.</p>
<p>On the grass, however, off-the-pace winners came home 57 percent of the time in the 14 races offered, 10 of which were at a mile or longer. There was only one start-to-finish win, a 5 1/2-furlong affair, and that was the first race on the green since February 8.</p>
<p><strong>Trainers</strong></p>
<p>Steve Asmussen led the pack in raw wins this week with only three. One was a first-time starter. Michelle Lovell had a first-time winner along with another for the week. Other doubling conditioners on the week were Eric Guillot, David Carroll, Bret Calhoun, Cody Autrey and Morris Nicks.</p>
<p>Todd Pletcher recorded two winners, both shippers from South Florida in stakes events, and won the big race for Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls, Saturday's Risen Star (G2), with DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft).</p>
<p><strong>Stakes</strong></p>
<p>This Saturday, the Allen Lacombe Memorial H. goes a mile on the grass for $60,000. Four-year-old-and-up fillies and mares compete. </p>
<p>Last week we challenged the obvious choices in stakes and lost. We are still impressed with BRAVO WHISKEY (Smart Strike), though his first stakes effort in the Risen Star fell short to wire-to-wire winner Discreetly Mine.</p>
<p>Our &quot;Silverbullet&quot; pick, AGE OF HUMOR (Distorted Humor), was third, and our Mineshaft longshot, GOOD AND LUCKY (Wild Rush), was last. We had the right idea trying to beat the favorites in both spots, as JODY SLEW (Slew City Slew) and STONEHOUSE (Chester House) each recorded upsets.</p>
<p><strong>Horses to Watch </strong></p>
<p>Our Watch lists produced the following winners since our last update: TENSAS CAT (Cat Thief), $6.80; LACY TO) (Autocracy), $6; ABELIA (Southern Image), $4.40; SNAKEBITE KIT (Sky Classic), $5.80; and WALL OF WORRY (The Cliff’s Edge), $5.60.</p>
<p><strong>Friday (2/19)</strong></p>
<p>6TH -- LIGHT WIND (Storm Passage) was slow to start but charged late to make up for it and finished fourth.</p>
<p><strong>Saturday (2/20)</strong></p>
<p>2ND -- ROLL ME AWAY (Evansville Slew) had to battle four wide early and was three wide on the turn, being used hard at 11-1 to get fourth money.</p>
<p>5TH -- IN JACK'S MEMORY (Malibu Moon) grinded to the lead by the stretch and was with two at the wire to get third.</p>
<p>13TH -- CANON MAN (Mingun) made a strong maiden special weight appearance, winning first out to warrant a bet back.</p>
<p><strong>Sunday (2/21)</strong></p>
<p>3RD -- HITCH YOUR WAGON (Wagon Limit) had a good late kick for a change and may be perfecting the move. </p>
<p>7TH -- MY HOMETOWN GAL (My Friend Max) was far too wide around the turn to make obvious speed worth the trip.</p>
<p><strong>Monday (2/22)</strong></p>
<p>2ND -- JENNI JENNI JENNI (Devil His Due) delivered a commanding win in this maiden claimer and should step up and perform well.</p>
<p>4TH -- PLEASANT CHIEF (Pleasant Tap) was on top confidently at 9-1 in this route until tiring.</p>
<p>6TH -- METER MAIDEN (Hold That Tiger) was flaming until the stretch, a first-time starter with guts at 59-1.</p>
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brisbrisnetFair GroundsKentucky DerbyFri, 26 Feb 2010 16:26:02 +0000Brisnet6731 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comBrisnet Handicappers Edge Fair Grounds notes 2/22/10.http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/brisnet-handicappers-edge-fair-grounds-notes-22210
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<p>Risen Star S. (G2) winner <strong>DISCREETLY MINE</strong> (Mineshaft), Silverbulletday S. (G3) heroine <strong>JODY SLEW</strong> (Slew City Slew) and Fair Grounds H. (G3) victor <strong>BLUES STREET</strong> (Street Cry [Ire]) all came out of their respective victories in Saturday's events in good order and were doing well Sunday morning. Discreetly Mine and Blues Street, both trained by Todd Pletcher, as well as their stablemate <strong>DEVIL MAY CARE</strong> (Malibu Moon) -- fifth in the Silverbulletday -- will leave Fair Grounds Monday morning on an equine charter returning to their South Florida home base. Expected to accompany them on that flight are <strong>TEMPTED TO TAPIT</strong> (Tapit) and <strong>DROSSELMEYER</strong> (Distorted Humor), the second and fourth-place finishers in the Risen Star...</p>
<p>New Orleans native Spanky Broussard, who has based his winter operation at Fair Grounds for more than four decades, reported Sunday morning that Mineshaft H. (G3) hero <strong>STONEHOUSE</strong> (Chester House) came out of his neck victory in Saturday's event in good order. &quot;I'm thinking about running him back in the (March 27) New Orleans H. (G2),&quot; Broussard replied when asked about Stonehouse's next step. &quot;I don't know if he can get a mile and an eighth, but I think we'll try. That's really my only option. I know I'm going to nominate him.&quot; If Stonehouse goes in the New Orleans, he'll have a rematch with Mineshaft runner-up GENERAL QUARTERS (Sky Mesa). Owner/trainer Tom McCarthy indicated Sunday that his one-horse stable is bound for the race. &quot;I've never had a horse come back as good as he has after such a hard race as he ran yesterday,&quot; McCarthy said, &quot;and I think the mile and an eighth is really going to be his best distance.&quot; Trainer Neil Pessin, who saddled GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) to finish third in the Mineshaft, is also thinking positively about the New Orleans. &quot;We got everything we wanted yesterday,&quot; Pessin said. &quot;That race was just a prep for the next one. The two that beat us yesterday won't beat us next time.&quot;...</p>
<p>Fair Grounds starter Frank Comberrel Jr. reported that Horse of the Year <strong>RACHEL ALEXANDRA</strong> (Medaglia d'Oro) <strong>visited the starting gate </strong>during training hours for the first time this season on Sunday morning. &quot;She just stood there and didn't make a move,&quot; Comberrel said. &quot;She was as cool and calm as she could be. She's always like that. All of (trainer Steve Asmussen's) horses are always very well schooled.&quot;...</p>
<p><strong><span>Discreetly Mine flaunts speed in Risen Star</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Discreetly Mine wired the Risen Star in his two-turn debut</span></strong><span> (Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)</span>Just minutes after the Todd Pletcher-trained Eskendereya (Giant's Causeway) romped in Saturday's Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park, DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft) posted a quick Derby prep double for the barn in the $300,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/risenstar10.pdf"><span><span>Risen Star S. (G2)</span></span></a> at Fair Grounds. The E. Paul Robsham Stables homebred went straight to the front beneath new rider Javier Castellano, and he never looked back in his two-turn debut. </p>
<p>Discreetly Mine was coming off a mightily-troubled fourth in the six-furlong Spectacular Bid S. at Gulfstream Park in his first start for Pletcher. On the strength of the high-class form he had displayed as a juvenile, when second in both the Champagne S. (G1) and Futurity S. (G2), as well as his sparkling worktab, the well-bred bay was sent off as the 5-2 second choice at Fair Grounds.</p>
<p>Smoothly securing the early lead, Discreetly Mine proceeded to carve out steady splits of :24 3/5, :48 3/5 and 1:13 2/5. Tempted to Tapit (Tapit) and Northern Giant (Giant's Causeway) were in close pursuit, while 2-1 favorite Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor) eventually improved into fourth. Meanwhile, Ron the Greek (Full Mandate), the winner of the recent Lecomte S. (G3) over the track, was anchored in his usual spot near the tail of the 12-horse field.</p>
<p>Discreetly Mine remained in control on the far turn, brushing aside a challenge from Tempted to Tapit, and spurted two lengths clear in midstretch. The top three, who had been racing in that order for virtually the entire race, maintained their respective positions at the wire. None of the deep closers managed to get involved after the leisurely early pace.</p>
<p>Discreetly Mine enjoyed a 1 1/2-length advantage while completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 4/5 on the fast track. </p>
<p>&quot;I'm so blessed,&quot; Castellano said. &quot;I expected him to be in the lead. He broke well out of the gate and he looked happy galloping along.</p>
<p>&quot;I'm very satisfied with the way the race developed; this course tends to favor those that come from behind. We got a position, relaxed, made a move on the backstretch and just continued to the wire.</p>
<p>&quot;He's a speed horse, and the fractions he did today were very lovely. He just galloped along in the lead and I'm very happy,&quot; Castellano summed up.</p>
<p>&quot;This horse gives 110 percent every time he runs,&quot; assistant trainer Ginny DePasquale said. &quot;We're very pleased with the outcome of this race.&quot;</p>
<p>Tempted to Tapit held second by a neck from Northern Giant, who in turn salvaged third by a head. Drosselmeyer, who had made a steady move along the inside, threatened to grab third, but was ultimately outfinished by Northern Giant.</p>
<p>&quot;It was just a slow pace,&quot; lamented Kent Desormeaux, who came in to ride Drosselmeyer. &quot;He was trying hard at the end, and we just couldn't catch up. It was very encouraging the way he galloped out. He has a good turn of foot, and I'm very pleased.&quot;</p>
<p>The winner paid $7, $4.20 and $3.80. Tempted to Tapit, the 8-1 fourth choice, gave back $8 and $6 and ended the $50.20 exacta. Northern Giant outran his 53-1 odds, fueling a $14.60 show payout and an $848.80 trifecta. Drosselmeyer concluded the 4-2-7-6 superfecta that was worth $5,134. </p>
<p>Stay Put rallied from far back for fifth, and Ron the Greek closed for sixth. Next came Worldly (A.P. Indy), Letsgetitonmon (Maria's Mon), Mountain Justice (Afleet Alex), Hotep (A.P. Indy), Random Move (Empire Maker) and Bravo Whiskey (Smart Strike). </p>
<p>Discreetly Mine now sports a mark of 7-2-3-0, and he doubled his earnings to $359,350. The Kentucky-bred just missed in his debut for Stanley Hough at Belmont Park last July, then finished fourth to subsequent Hopeful S. (G1) winner Dublin (Afleet Alex) in a Saratoga maiden. Discreetly Mine broke through emphatically in his third start, defeating Super Saver (Maria's Mon) by 6 1/4 lengths at the Spa. </p>
<p>He endured an eventful stakes bow in the Futurity, where he hit the gate and was steadied, but recovered to finish a clear second to the talented D' Funnybone (D'wildcat). Next time out in the Champagne, Discreetly Mine dueled early, took the lead in the stretch, but yielded to Homeboykris (Roman Ruler). Switched to Pletcher for his three-year-old campaign, he bobbled at the start of the January 9 Spectacular Bid, was slammed on the turn, and splashed home an unhappy fourth in the slop. </p>
<p>Produced by Alabama S. (G1) heroine Pretty Discreet (Private Account), Discreetly Mine is a half-brother to Discreet Cat (Forestry), hero of the Cigar Mile H. (G1); multiple stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Pretty Wild (Wild Again); Grade 3-placed Discreet Treasure (El Prado [Ire]); and the unraced Discreetly Awesome (Awesome Again), the dam of last year's Matron S. (G2) queen, Awesome Maria (Maria's Mon). This is the family of 1987 Kentucky Oaks (G1) queen, Buryyourbelief (Believe It).</p>
<p>When asked if he intended to return to Fair Grounds to team up with Discreetly Mine in the March 27 Louisiana Derby (G2), Castellano was enthusiastic.</p>
<p>&quot;Hopefully. I said to Todd Pletcher, whatever he wants to do with this horse, I want to be on it. I'm the pilot, and wherever they want to send me, I'll be available.</p>
<p>&quot;I'm very fortunate to have been on some good horses -- Ghostzapper, Bellamy Road, Bernardini -- and I've been getting on the horse in the morning, so I know him well enough.&quot;</p>
<p><strong><span>Jody Slew fires in Silverbulletday</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Jody Slew (outside) just ran down Quiet Temper</span></strong><span> (Lynn Roberts/Hodges Photography)</span> </p>
<p>Martin Racing Stable LLC and Dan Morgan's JODY SLEW (Slew City Slew) made her first start for new trainer Bret Calhoun a winning one in the Tiffany Lass S. at Fair Grounds on January 23, and on Saturday continued progressing for her new conditioner with a hard-fought nose victory in the $141,500 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/silverbulletday10.pdf"><span><span>Silverbulletday S. (G3)</span></span></a> at the New Orleans venue.</p>
<p>Quiet Temper (Quiet American) tried to lead the field all the way home, grabbing the advantage soon after the start and posting splits of :23 4/5, :47 2/5, 1:11 3/5 and 1:38 2/5. Age of Humor (Distorted Humor), Elusive Jozi (Johannesburg) and Devil May Care (Malibu Moon) were strung out just to her outside, while jockey Miguel Mena allowed Jody Slew to settle in last. Quiet Temper appeared well on her way to the winner's circle in the lane, drawing off under Robby Albarado, but Mena was just getting busy with Jody Slew. The bay lass responded to the encouragement, running down the near 3-1 second choice to earn her spot in the gate for the March 26 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). </p>
<p>&quot;I knew there wasn't going to be as much pace pressure today, but I did not expect (Quiet Temper) to be loose,&quot; Calhoun said. &quot;I at least thought there would be some company up front and when she was loose and going so easy I thought it was over. I was really surprised my filly was that far back; as sharp as she's been in the mornings, she's been just the opposite in the afternoons. I was afraid she might be more keen today but it ended up working out great.</p>
<p>&quot;She didn't really get into the race until she got that horse in her sights. She was just kind of wide out there down the lane -- running, but not like she was bearing down -- but she got that horse in her sights and she found another gear.&quot;</p>
<p>&quot;When she sees a horse in front of her, she goes,&quot; co-owner Bill Martin agreed. &quot;She likes to run them down. If she has to do it that way we're happy to leave her alone.&quot;</p>
<p>&quot;We're not used to winning exciting photos like that,&quot; co-owner Dan Morgan said. &quot;We're usually second-best. You have to take heart medicine to watch her races.&quot;</p>
<p>Jody Slew wasn't given much respect in the Silverbulletday as the 8-1 fourth pick, but rewarded her faithful supporters with payouts of $18, $7 and $4 while keying the $76.40 exacta. Quiet Temper was game in defeat, returning $4 and $3.20, while it was another 10 lengths back to Age of Humor, who gave back $4.20 at 9-1 for holding Bella Medaglia (Medaglia d'Oro) by a head on the wire. The 7-1-3 trifecta totaled $427.80. Devil May Care, the 4-5 favorite, was three lengths back of Bella Medaglia, and Elusive Jozi completed the order of finish after The Rumor's True (Kafwain) was withdrawn.</p>
<p>Jody Slew was making her second start here for Calhoun after beginning her career under the tutelage of Larry Lay. The bay lass took three tries to break her maiden, getting the job done at Ellis Park in mid-July, then added an allowance victory to her mark next out at River Downs. She ran third in the Bassinet S. back at that track, but was no match for graded rivals when trying the Pocahontas S. (G3) two months later, winding up 10th in that Churchill Downs event. She stayed in Kentucky to finish third in the Caressing H. under the Twin Spires to complete her juvenile season, and opened up the new year with a 23-1 shocker in the Tiffany Lass, with Quiet Temper back in fifth that day. The Silverbulletday score improved her line to 9-4-0-3 and she's now earned $185,179.</p>
<p>Bred in Kentucky by Brandywine Farm, Jody Slew only brought $9,500 as a Keeneland September yearling. She is out of the winning Trustbuster (Housebuster), making her a half-sister to last year's Czaria H. victress Cape of Bradford (Cape Town) as well as an unnamed yearling filly by Kafwain.</p>
<p>Jody Slew's third dam is dual stakes queen Honest and True (Mr. Leader), third in the 1980 editions of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Fantasy S. (G1). Honest and True would go in the breeding shed to produce champion two-year-old filly Epitome (Summing), herself the dam of U.A.E. highweight Faltaat (Mr. Prospector), multiple Grade/Group 2 victor Essence of Dubai (Pulpit) and record-setting stakes hero Danjur (Dayjur), all three of whom are now sires.</p>
<p><strong><span>Blues Street rallies to win going away in Fair Grounds</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Blues Street graduated from claiming status to graded winner </span></strong><span>(Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)</span> </p>
<p>Antsu Stables' BLUES STREET (Street Cry [Ire]) rallied down the middle of the course to win going away in the $100,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/fairgrounds10.pdf"><span><span>Fair Grounds H. (G3)</span></span></a>, registering his first graded stakes victory with a 2 1/4-length decision. Trained by Todd Pletcher, who won his second graded event on the stakes-packed program one race later with Discreetly Mine (Mineshaft) in the Risen Star S. (G2), the six-year-old gelding improved his overall mark to 21-7-5-3, $307,178, when completing about 1 1/8 miles in 1:51 3/5 over the firm turf.</p>
<p>A former high-priced claimer, Blues Street extended his win streak to three after garnering a pair of allowance/optional claiming events at Gulfstream Park and Aqueduct. Favored at 9-5 over eight rivals on Saturday, the dark bay paid $5.80, $3.60 and $3 and keyed the $53.60 exacta with 10-1 runner-up Dubious Miss (E Dubai), who seized a brief lead in midstretch before being passed by the winner and gave back $9.80 and $6.60. It was 4 1/2 lengths back to Baltimore Bob (Malibu Moon), who returned $4.40 at 10-1, and another 2 1/2 lengths to the 25-1 Transduction Gold (Formal Gold) in fourth. The trifecta yielded $227.20, and the 4-7-1-10 superfecta was $1,291.20. Gretsky (Toccet), Silverfoot (With Approval), Get Rich Quick (Seeking the Gold) and Acting Zippy (City Zip) came next under the wire, and Secret Getaway (Skip Away) was eased. Giant Oak (Giant's Causeway) was withdrawn in favor of the Mineshaft H. (G3) later on the card.</p>
<p>Bred in Kentucky by Harriet Finkelstein, Blues Street sold for $85,000 as a 2005 Keeneland September yearling and RNA'ed for $77,000 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May two-year-old sale. He's the first foal to race out of Capote Blues (Capote) and has two-year-old half-sister named Henny Blues (Hennessy) and a yearling half-sister by Hard Spun. Capote Blues hails from 1994 Matron (G1) winner Stormy Blues (Cure the Blues). Blues Street captured last year's Memorial Day H. at Mountaineer Park and has placed in two listed stakes.</p>
<p>Earlier on Fair Grounds' Saturday card, Gold Mark Farm LLC's <strong>DOUBLE ESPRESSO</strong> (Medaglia d'Oro) stalked the pacesetting Simplify (Pulpit) on the backstretch of the $56,400 Pan Zareta S., rallied on the outside of that rival to take command in the stretch and just held the late run of Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai) by a head on the wire under jockey James Graham. The Tom Amoss charge earned her first stakes score when stopping the clock in 1:10 4/5 for six furlongs on the fast dirt, improving her line to 10-5-1-3 and pushing her earnings to $161,933. The dark bay four-year-old ran second in the Orleans S. in December and captured her 2010 debut last out against allowance/optional claiming rivals...</p>
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brisbrisnetFair GroundsMon, 22 Feb 2010 16:37:28 +0000Brisnet6693 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comBrisnet Handicappers Edge Fair Grounds notes 2/20/10.http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/brisnet-handicappers-edge-fair-grounds-notes-22010
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<p><strong><span>Rachel Alexandra turns in sharp five-furlong breeze</span></strong></p>
<p><span><strong>Rachel Alexandra has three more scheduled works before the March 13 Ladies Classic </strong></span><span>(Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)</span> </p>
<p>Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) continued to work forwardly Thursday morning in advance of the March 13 New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds, breezing five furlongs on a fast main track in 1:00 1/5 with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard. The four-year-old filly broke off rather keen from the five-eighths pole but settled into herself around the far turn, working through fractions of :12, :23 4/5, :35 3/5 and :47 3/5. The final time made it the second-fastest five-furlong move of 19 on the morning.</p>
<p>&quot;I think we've got a little Goldilocks going on,&quot; trainer Steve Asmussen said after the work, referring to the young girl in the fairy tale who needs a few tries to find the middle ground that is just right. &quot;The racetrack was wet last week, and a little slow, and we were being careful. I thought she was overly aggressive today, a little quick, so hopefully we'll level off.&quot;</p>
<p>In her previous work last Friday, Rachel Alexandra breezed five furlongs in 1:03 4/5 over a sloppy track on a wet morning when only one other horse recorded a timed workout.</p>
<p>&quot;I think with not letting her do too much last week it made her very keen,&quot; Asmussen said. &quot;I think she wants to be in a rhythm. Hopefully the weather will be as good as it was this morning and fairly consistent, and then I think we'll be exactly where we want to be. She was just very aggressive all week and worked good today. She was off strong. From a timing standpoint there's still time to get exactly where want to be.&quot;</p>
<p><span><strong>Rachel Alexandra continues to move forward in advance of her four-year-old bow</strong> </span><span>(Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)</span> </p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra has breezed every six days since her first workout of the calendar year on January 31. If that pattern continues, she will have three more official works before the New Orleans Ladies, a $200,000 race for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Twenty-seven days after that, on April 9, Rachel Alexandra plans to meet champion older mare Zenyatta for what would be a $5 million purse in the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn Park.</p>
<p>As per her usual routine, Rachel Alexandra came to the track with Asmussen's second set of horses, entering from the half-mile gap at 6:40 a.m. (CDT), accompanied by assistant trainer Scott Blasi astride his pony. Asmussen also was on horseback to observe the work.</p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra and Terry, along with Blasi and his pony, backtracked more than a half-mile &quot;the wrong way,&quot; clockwise, past the eighth-pole in the Fair Grounds stretch. Turning back with the traffic, Blasi stayed with Rachel Alexandra and Terry before sending them on their way near the finish line. Filly and exercise rider galloped into the backstretch before Terry picked up the pace coming to the five-eighths marker. </p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra worked to the finish line before galloping out an extra one-eighth of a mile in :14 1/5 for a six-furlong gallop-out time of 1:14 2/5.</p>
<p>A full field of 12 will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds dirt in Saturday's $300,000 Risen Star S. (G2) and we'll side with Champagne S. (G1) runner-up DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft). A runaway winner in his third career try, the well-bred bay finished second in both the Futurity S. (G2) and Champagne prior to a troubled fourth in the six-furlong Spectacular Bid S. in his three-year-old bow. The swift colt should be forwardly placed throughout under Javier Castellano. </p>
<p>DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor) looked the part in posting a lifetime best 105 BRIS Speed figure in an allowance win at Gulfstream Park most recently and could take this race with any improvement. The well-bred chestnut has never finished worse than third in his career and is well liked by his pilot, Kent Desormeaux. We have a fear that the he'll be overbet in here and is worth taking a stand against in his graded debut.</p>
<p>Lecomte S. (G3) third LETSGETITONMON (Maria's Mon) has posted 112 and 113 BRIS Late Pace numbers in his two local tries for Steve Asmussen, showing much improved form since switching to the dirt. The rising gray has little early foot and will likely need a strong pace to help set up his rally, but we feel inclined to use him in the exotics at a fair price. Shaun Bridgmohan has the assignment. </p>
<p>TEMPTED TO TAPIT (Tapit) added blinkers for his last and rolled home an 11 1/2-length maiden winner for trainer Steve Klesaris, earning a whopping 103 BRIS Speed number in the process. The gelded gray has improved with each start and wouldn't totally surprise us in here, but the fact that his latest came in the mud over an oval that can be especially speed favoring at times leads us elsewhere. We will toss the Kentucky-bred in the multi-race tickets, though.</p>
<p>HOTEP (A.P. Indy) was done no favors by drawing widest of all in here for trainer Mark Frostad, but we'll still give the bay consideration under Robby Albarado. A maiden winner at first asking, the well-bred bay has trained well in advance of this, is seemingly improving with every start and has enough tactical speed to be within reach turning for home. STAY PUT (Broken Vow) has won two in succession, earning 101 and 114 BRIS Late Pace figures, for conditioner Steve Margolis. The Kentucky-bred colt is devoid of early speed and will likely have to weave his way through numerous horses in the lane, so we'll keep him on the bottom in the gimmicks. </p>
<p>RANDOM MOVE (Empire Maker) dropped into the maiden claiming ranks last out and responded with a 2 1/4-length win, while being claimed in the process. The bay is bred to run all day and has improved his BRIS Speed numbers with every start, but we'll look elsewhere. MOUNTAIN JUSTICE (Afleet Alex) will make his dirt debut in here for conditioner Andrew McKeever, and while we don't think he's an automatic toss in this test, we're not backing him. NORTHERN GIANT (Giant's Causeway) romped by 11 1/4-lengths in his recent maiden but looks like he needs more time to develop in order to win a race of this nature. The blue-blooded WORLDLY (A.P. Indy) was an even fifth in the Lecomte last out and will likely need a career showing to make a big challenge against this group. </p>
<p>Lecomte upsetter RON THE GREEK (Full Mandate) is another one-run closer in a field full of them and we're taking a stand against the bay colt, who fired a bullet six furlongs in advance of this start. BRAVO WHISKEY (Smart Strike) impressed with a six-length debut win for trainer Neil Howard, but the chestnut has failed to hit the board in two subsequent efforts. The sophomore is bred to run long and he is capable of improvement, but picking him in this one seems like a stretch.</p>
<p>Although we were mystified by the lackluster effort turned in by QUIET TEMPER (Quiet American) in the January 23 Tiffany Lass S. at Fair Grounds, we'll look for her to rebound in Saturday's $150,000 Silverbulletday S. (G3) back at the historic New Orleans oval. At her best, the Dale Romans filly rates a slight edge over DEVIL MAY CARE (Malibu Moon), on account of her abundant experience going two turns, her recency advantage, and her likely better odds.</p>
<p>Quiet Temper finished runner-up in three tough maiden races going one turn, but really blossomed when stretching out in the Delta Princess S. (G3). Making her two-turn debut in that spot, the well-bred bay simply demolished the field by 7 3/4 lengths. Almost exactly one month later, Quiet Temper toyed with her opponents in a January 3 allowance/optional claimer at Fair Grounds, defeating subsequent Tiffany Lass runner-up BELLA MEDAGLIA (Medaglia d'Oro) while still in a canter. We never saw that Quiet Temper in the Tiffany Lass. Perhaps she didn't get enough out of that effortless score in her previous start; conversely, maybe she didn't thrive on the three-week turnaround; or possibly she just had a bad day at the office when fading to a poor fifth. Robby Albarado is sticking with Quiet Temper here, and so will we. The bay figures to save ground from her rail post before kicking on strongly for home.</p>
<p>Frizette S. (G1) heroine Devil May Care has long been highly regarded by trainer Todd Pletcher. A half-sister to U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) and Super Derby (G2) hero Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor), the bay should have no difficulty with the 1 1/16-mile trip in theory. In practice, however, she could be vulnerable in making her first start off a three-month layoff at this distance, especially down the lengthy Fair Grounds stretch. Indeed, Devil May Care showed plenty of speed en route to her 4 3/4-length debut maiden score sprinting at Saratoga, and she just held on by a diminishing head in the Frizette over Belmont's one-turn mile. She tried two turns, and synthetic, for the first time in the November 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita, where she lagged uncharacteristically farther off the pace, was steadied in traffic in midstretch, and checked in 11th. We strongly suspect that Devil May Care will prefer being back on dirt here, and we respect her as a long-term Kentucky Oaks (G1) prospect, but will try to beat her off the shelf with new rider Javier Castellano.</p>
<p>AGE OF HUMOR (Distorted Humor) already owns a stakes victory over two turns, accomplished in wire-to-wire fashion in the January 9 Busanda S. at Aqueduct. Since then, she has been sold for $350,000 at Keeneland January and transferred to Mike Maker. Age of Humor has been training sharply for her new conditioner, including a bullet five furlongs at Gulfstream Park last Sunday, and we like the fact that Kent Desormeaux takes the call. While the Silverbulletday is her stiffest test of class to date, note that her Aqueduct form was flattered when Busanda runner-up Fuzzy Britches (Pollard's Vision) came back to capture the Dearly Precious S. Age of Humor has the look of a very live longshot at 15-1 on the morning line.</p>
<p>Bella Medaglia is a hard-trying filly who impressed us with her never-say-die attitude versus Quiet Temper two back. The Glenn Delahoussaye trainee once again ran her heart out when second in the Tiffany Lass, beaten all of a half-length by JODY SLEW (Slew City Slew). Bella Medaglia deserves respect for having finished in the top two in all four of her starts, but things are going to get tougher from this point forward. Jody Slew upset the Tiffany Lass at 23-1 in her first start for the Bret Calhoun barn. Little in her past performances would have suggested that she was capable of springing such a surprise, although she did turn in a solid third-place effort in the grassy Caressing H. in her only prior attempt at two turns. We suspect that Jody Slew benefited from a hot pace in the Tiffany Lass, and unless a similar meltdown occurs Saturday, she'll be hard pressed to duplicate that performance.</p>
<p>ELUSIVE JOZI (Johannesburg) weakened to fourth after rattling off those testing early fractions in the Tiffany Lass. The Ralph Nicks pupil might fare better with a stalking trip, but with her speed-laden pedigree, we don't see how the extra yardage of the Silverbulletday helps her cause. THE RUMOR'S TRUE (Kafwain) is a three-time stakes winner against lesser, notably in the 1 1/16-mile Happy Ticket S. that had been rained off the turf at Louisiana Downs last September. She has kept mostly to Louisiana-bred company ever since, and the one time she did venture outside of its friendly confines, she was far up the track behind Quiet Temper in the Delta Princess.</p>
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brisbrisnetFair GroundsSat, 20 Feb 2010 16:56:52 +0000Brisnet6639 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comBrisnet Handicappers Edge Fair Grounds notes 2/16/10.http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/brisnet-handicappers-edge-fair-grounds-notes-21610
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<p><strong><span>Discreetly Mine, Drosselmeyer take on locals in Risen Star</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Lecomte winner Ron the Greek could face three serious challengers from Florida in Risen Star</span><span> </span></strong><span>(Hodges Photography/Lynn Roberts)</span> </p>
<p>Saturday's $300,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/risenstar10.htm"><span><span>Risen Star S. (G2)</span></span></a> at Fair Grounds has the look of a regional showdown. Florida invaders DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft), DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor) and TEMPTED TO TAPIT (Tapit) are scheduled to descend upon New Orleans to test the best of the locally-based three-year-olds, including Lecomte S. (G3) hero RON THE GREEK (Full Mandate) and impressive allowance/optional claiming winners STAY PUT (Broken Vow) and HOTEP (A.P. Indy). As a result, the Risen Star figures to have a significant bearing not only on the March 27 Louisiana Derby (G2), but on the larger Kentucky Derby (G1) picture. </p>
<p>Ron the Greek has been pegged as the 3-1 favorite on the morning line, with Drosselmeyer at 4-1 and Discreetly Mine the third choice at 5-1.</p>
<p>Discreetly Mine, a half-brother to Grade 1 star Discreet Cat (Forestry), was one of the better two-year-olds of 2009. Then trained by Stanley Hough, Discreetly Mine romped by 6 1/4 lengths in his third start, defeating eventual Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) winner Super Saver (Maria's Mon). After a troubled runner-up effort behind D' Funnybone (D'wildcat) in the Futurity S. (G2), Discreetly Mine came back with a strong second in the Champagne S. (G1), where he forced a fast pace, held the lead in the stretch, and was just collared late by Homeboykris (Roman Ruler).</p>
<p>The bay was transferred to Todd Pletcher and made his debut for his new barn in the January 9 Spectacular Bid S. at Gulfstream Park, but little went according to plan that day. Discreetly Mine bobbled at the break, never looked entirely comfortable on the sloppy track, and was bumped soundly on the turn before checking in fourth. He has been training sharply in the interim at Palm Meadows, and appears ready to fire with new rider Javier Castellano.</p>
<p>While Discreetly Mine will be making his two-turn debut in the 1 1/16-mile Risen Star, his principal rivals are experienced over a route of ground. The Bill Mott-trained Drosselmeyer, who first attracted attention when demolishing a Churchill Downs maiden by six lengths, comes off a smart allowance score going 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream on January 31. The WinStar Farm colt stayed on strongly in the stretch to finish up in 1:49 2/5, a solid time for the distance at that track. Regular rider Kent Desormeaux will be back aboard the highly-regarded Drosselmeyer as he takes on stakes rivals for the first time.</p>
<p>Tempted to Tapit is making his first start outside of maiden company, but the Steve Klesaris pupil earned his ticket here with an 11 1/2-length trouncing of his foes at Aqueduct on January 18. The gray gelding had previously finished second to both Laus Deo (Medaglia d'Oro), who went on to capture the Count Fleet S., and Schoolyard Dreams (Stephen Got Even), who just chased home Rule (Roman Ruler) in last Saturday's Sam F. Davis S. (G3). In the wake of those efforts, Tempted to Tapit added blinkers, and he looked like a different animal altogether with the new equipment last out. He subsequently shipped to Gulfstream, where he has been training briskly for his stakes bow. Jockey David Cohen will reunite with Tempted to Tapit, who promises to flash speed from post 2.</p>
<p>The deep closer Ron the Greek will be hoping for a blistering pace. A fast tempo in the January 23 Lecomte set the stage perfectly for his last-to-first rally, and an early crawl would make his task difficult. The Tom Amoss trainee, whose only loss was a closing fourth in the Springboard Mile S., keeps James Graham in the irons. </p>
<p>Stay Put likewise uncorked a potent move from the tail of the field in his January 3 victory at Fair Grounds. Unlike Ron the Greek, however, he did it off steady splits, without the help of a quick early pace. The Steve Margolis trainee defeated a few useful rivals in that contest, including LETSGETITONMON (Maria's Mon), who came back to finish a closing third in the Lecomte, and WORLDLY (A.P. Indy), who reported home fifth in the Lecomte. Jamie Theriot has the return call.</p>
<p>Hotep, who faded to fourth behind Stay Put in his return from a nearly two-month layoff, put forth a much improved performance next time out. A full brother to last year's Canadian champion three-year-old male, Eye of the Leopard, Hotep exploded from off the pace to take a February 1 allowance/optional claimer by 3 1/4 lengths. The Mark Frostad colt must overcome being stuck in post 12, however. Jockey Robby Albarado is tasked with managing that problem.</p>
<p>Also noteworthy in the 12-horse field is NORTHERN GIANT (Giant's Causeway), who invades from Oaklawn for D. Wayne Lukas. Runner-up to Stay Put in a Fair Grounds maiden last December, the bay exits an 11 1/4-length triumph in a maiden at the Hot Springs, Arkansas, track.</p>
<p><strong><span>Devil May Care headlines Silverbulletday</span></strong></p>
<p>Frizette S. (G1) heroine DEVIL MAY CARE (Malibu Moon), an uncharacteristic 11th when trying synthetic in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), will return to dirt as she makes her sophomore debut in Saturday's $150,000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/silverbulletday10.htm"><span><span>Silverbulletday S. (G3)</span></span></a> at Fair Grounds. The Todd Pletcher filly will face six opponents in the 1 1/16-mile affair, including four of the top five finishers from the January 23 Tiffany Lass S. at this venue.</p>
<p>Devil May Care won her first two career starts on the dirt. A 4 3/4-length maiden romper at Saratoga, she overcame a stumble at the start of the Frizette and held off the furious late charge of Awesome Maria (Maria's Mon) by a head. Devil May Care did not perform up to that level in the November 6 Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, where she was never in contention and had a rough trip in the stretch. Ironically, her half-brother Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor), a Grade/Group 2 winner on dirt, has also failed badly in his two attempts on synthetic. Devil May Care promises to show her true colors back on her preferred surface. Javier Castellano picks up the mount.</p>
<p>QUIET TEMPER (Quiet American), who had been runner-up in her first three tries in tough maiden company, broke through with a dynamic 7 3/4-length score in the Delta Princess S. (G3). Trained by Dale Romans, the bay sauntered to an effortless allowance/optional claiming victory at Fair Grounds next time out, and was accordingly bet down to 4-5 favoritism in the Tiffany Lass. Quiet Temper threw in a lackluster effort that day, tiring to fifth, and will try to bounce back with regular rider Robby Albarado.</p>
<p>JODY SLEW (Slew City Slew), the upset winner of the Tiffany Lass at 23-1, will bid to prove that performance was no fluke. Third in the grassy Caressing H. at Churchill Downs two starts back, she was subsequently switched to the Bret Calhoun barn. Jody Slew will look to go two-for-two for the trainer/jockey tandem of Calhoun and Miguel Mena here.</p>
<p>Tiffany Lass runner-up BELLA MEDAGLIA (Medaglia d'Oro) has been admirably consistent, never finishing out of the top two in four lifetime outings. Prior to just missing by a half-length to Jody Slew last out, she had gamely chased Quiet Temper in the aforementioned allowance/optional claimer. Shane Sellers has the return call.</p>
<p>Tiffany Lass fourth ELUSIVE JOZI (Johannesburg) looms as a pace factor, along with AGE OF HUMOR (Distorted Humor), a wire-to-wire winner of the January 9 Busanda S. at Aqueduct. Age of Humor has since been sold for $350,000 at the Keeneland January sale and transferred to Mike Maker. She has been training forwardly at Gulfstream Park, most recently firing a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 on Sunday. Kent Desormeaux will team up with Age of Humor for the first time.</p>
<p>Rounding out the field is three-time stakes queen THE RUMOR'S TRUE (Kafwain), who comes off a third in a Louisiana-bred stakes at Delta Downs.</p>
<p><strong><span>Maximus Ruler to miss Risen Star</span></strong></p>
<p>MAXIMUS RULER (Roman Ruler), runner-up behind Ron the Greek (Full Mandate) in the January 23 Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds, will not run in Saturday's Risen Star S. (G2) after coming up with a slight injury following a breeze Sunday morning at the New Orleans oval.</p>
<p>&quot;He didn't want to place his right hind foot down toe to heel when he was being walked yesterday afternoon,&quot; trainer Clark Hanna said Monday morning. &quot;Usually, he walks very forwardly, but when we took his shoe off his foot seemed to be a little sensitive. We took some pictures and they came back clean, so we gave him some hot water therapy and some anti-inflammatory medication to take the soreness out, and he seems to be much, much better this morning. Now, we're going to play things by ear, and evaluate him for a few days. We'll see how he does with no medication over the next 24 to 48 hours to make sure he's okay.</p>
<p>&quot;I just don't feel comfortable running him back this weekend,&quot; Hanna added. &quot;This is the best horse I've had in my lifetime and I don't want to ruin him. My best educated guess right now is it's only a stone bruise and he'll be fine, but he'll have plenty of other opportunities.&quot;</p>
<p>Maximus Ruler, who would have been one of the favorites in the Risen Star, finished third by a neck in his maiden debut at Churchill Downs on November 14 and returned two weeks later to break his maiden in an allowance at the same venue. He made his seasonal debut in the one-mile Lecomte, finished second to Ron the Greek by 1 1/2 lengths after leading through the opening seven furlongs. </p>
<p>Maximus Ruler, who sports a record of 3-1-1-1, $53,890, closed at 76-1 in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager on Sunday.</p>
<p>Seven sophomore fillies will celebrate Fat Tuesday by contesting the $60,000 <strong>Mardi Gras S.</strong> over about 5 1/2 grassy furlongs at Fair Grounds. CHANTILLY NAYLA (Five Star Day), who was runner-up to eventual Grade 2 winner Amen Hallelujah (Montbrook) three back, shortens up off a hard-fought allowance score going about one mile on the turf here. Others with experience over the course include the undefeated MIDWAY HOLIDAY (Harlan's Holiday), two-for-two so far, and BABY SISTER (Tale of the Cat), who exits a maiden score at this distance. The Grade 3-placed KINSOLVING (Posse), unraced since capturing a stakes at Charles Town last August, will test the turf for the first time for Steve Asmussen. Also making their grass debuts are a pair of Tom Amoss fillies -- the speedy WICKED UNO (Macho Uno), who just lasted by a head in a 5 1/2-furlong dash that was transferred to the main track, and BRONX CITY GIRL (Yankee Gentleman), who tired late for third in the Genesis S. at Delta Downs last out. The Ronny Werner-trained HATHORS LEGACY (Buddha) takes a steep class hike in her turf debut…</p>
<p><strong><span>On the Louisiana worktab</span></strong></p>
<p>Grade 2 winner <strong>FRIESAN FIRE </strong>(A.P. Indy), a 1 3/4-length winner of the Louisiana H. on January 23, breezed four furlongs in :50 1/5 over the sloppy track at Fair Grounds on Monday. He's readying for Saturday's Mineshaft H. (G3).</p>
<p>Lecomte S. (G3) third <strong>LETSGETITONMON </strong>(Maria's Mon) worked in :49 3/5 over good conditions in advance of Saturday's Risen Star S. (G2).</p>
<p>Multiple Grade 3 veteran <strong>SILVERFOOT </strong>(With Approval) breezed in :52 3/5 in advance of Saturday's Fair Grounds H. (G3).</p>
<p>Debutante S. (G3) runner-up <strong>WILD FOREST CAT</strong> (D'wildcat) went four furlongs in :53 4/5.</p>
<p>Multiple stakes winner <strong>WILDRALLY </strong>(Wild Event), unplaced in his last two starts versus stakes rivals, negotiated five panels in 1:03 1/5.</p>
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brisbrisnetFair GroundsTue, 16 Feb 2010 17:20:30 +0000Brisnet6573 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comBrisnet Handicappers Edge Fair Grounds notes 2/12/10http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/brisnet-handicappers-edge-fair-grounds-notes-21210
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<p><strong><span>Rachel Alexandra will return in New Orleans Ladies</span></strong></p>
<p>Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) will make her four-year-old debut in the March 13 New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds, assuming she continues to progress as expected, owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables confirmed Thursday. The inaugural running of the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies is for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.</p>
<p>&quot;That is our intended goal,&quot; Jackson said by phone Thursday evening. &quot;I believe she's on schedule and she'll get the prep race before she goes on to Oaklawn. There are other tracks that have offered to have us go, but right now we'd rather stay here.&quot;</p>
<p>Oaklawn Park announced earlier Thursday that the date of the Apple Blossom (G1) had been moved back six days to April 9, in order to give Rachel Alexandra and champion older female Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) sufficient time to each get one start before meeting for the first time in what Oaklawn is billing as the &quot;Race for the Ages.&quot; The new date of the Apple Blossom places it 27 days after the New Orleans Ladies.</p>
<p>&quot;We're obviously thrilled by the news that Rachel Alexandra, already a legend based on her accomplishments last year, intends to make her 2010 debut at Fair Grounds,&quot; Fair Grounds Vice President and General Manager Eric Halstrom said. &quot;We are already working to make sure March 13 will be a special day befitting of racing royalty.&quot;</p>
<p>Jackson expressed his hope that the New Orleans Ladies would attract a solid field of competitors despite the imposing proposition for the others of having to face one of the top female racehorses in history. </p>
<p>&quot;I'd really like to have more than just nominal competition in the race,&quot; Jackson said. &quot;Assuming it's a fair race I don't expect Rachel to have any trouble but at the same time, regardless of whether they're superstars or not, it embellishes the track's reputation and Rachel’s reputation to have the best possible competition.”</p>
<p>Record rainfall in December and more high levels of precipitation in January repeatedly forced two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen to adjust Rachel Alexandra's schedule. More recently, however, she has posted official workouts on consecutive weekends, including a half-mile breeze Saturday in :50 3/5.</p>
<p>&quot;It's not anyone's fault, but with the rain and the track conditions it's been a serious setback to Rachel's routine,&quot; Jackson said. &quot;When you're training a horse it's an animal that needs to have a regular routine and Steve's been hard-pressed to keep her going given the weather. When we do get her to the track it's well maintained, but she's behind schedule and that means we're compressed to try to get everything done and keep her on schedule leading up to works and preparing her for a major competition at Oaklawn.&quot;</p>
<p>Fair Grounds officials added the New Orleans Ladies to the stakes schedule last fall in hopes that a scenario such as this would play out. Now it appears Fair Grounds will get its wish -- to showcase the champion filly in front of New Orleans' faithful race fans.</p>
<p>&quot;It's always fun to visit New Orleans, one of the top cities in the United States,&quot; Jackson said. &quot;My wife loves it. You have great food. The rebound has been phenomenal as far as sports are concerned so maybe that will help lead to a full recovery.&quot;</p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra, who will be returning off a six-month layoff in the New Orleans Ladies, established herself as one of the all-time great fillies last year with historic wins in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Preakness S. (G1) and Woodward (G1), as well as six other stakes races, including the Grade Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). She also easily defeated champion three-year-old male Summer Bird (Birdstone) in the Haskell Invitational (G1).</p>
<p>WAR ECHO (Tapit) will go for her third straight victory on Saturday when she starts in the $60,000 <strong>Pelleteri S.</strong> at Fair Grounds. The Grade 3-winning filly ended her sophomore season with a Churchill allowance win and a 3 1/2-length score in the nine-furlong Daily Racing Form Distaff S. over the track. She'll cut back slightly here to 1 1/16 miles, but will have regular rider Shaun Bridgmohan in the irons. Others in with a chance are BUBBLER (Distorted Humor) and CLEAR SAILING (Empire Maker). Bubbler put in a hard drive to just hold by nose in the Marie G. Krantz Memorial H. after suffering her first career loss when sixth in the Furl Sail H. Clear Sailing will be making her stakes bow in this spot following a 4 1/4-length maiden win and 8 3/4 allowance score at Fair Grounds...</p>
<p><strong><span>On the Louisiana worktab</span></strong></p>
<p>Argentinean Group 1 winner <strong>GRAN ESTRENO</strong> (Arg) (Lucky Roberto), fourth in the John B. Connally Turf H. (G3) last out, covered a half-mile in :51 2/5 over the fast dirt at Fair Grounds on Thursday.</p>
<p>Recent American Beauty S. queen <strong>NORTHERN BELLE</strong> (Northern Afleet) breezed four furlongs in :48 3/5. The Steve Margolis trainee could return to Oaklawn Park for the February 20 Spring Fever S. </p>
<p>Grade 3-placed <strong>DUE DATE</strong> (El Prado [Ire]), off-the-board in the Bonapaw S. last out, worked four furlongs in :48 3/5.</p>
<p>Bashford Manor S. (G3) runner-up <strong>FLATTER THAN ME</strong> (Flatter), unplaced against allowance/optional claiming rivals most recently, posted four panels in :48 1/5.</p>
<p align="center"><em><span><strong>FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK</strong></span></em></p>
<p align="center"><span><strong>FEBRUARY 11, 2010</strong></span></p>
<p>by Frank Cotolo</p>
<p>Matching a strong week that delivered 45-percent winners for the public, Fair Grounds also kept speed at bay last week, producing mostly off-the-pace winners, in both sprints and routes, on the main track and turf, in the 40 races run.</p>
<p>It was fast from start to finish that week. We hope you read last week's notebook and used the closing information to benefit. From the look of the statistics, many bettors got on board and steered clear of backing top speed with conviction.</p>
<p>Calculating the most recent four weeks of racing, chalk has ruled with the public choice's winning 49 percent of the 132 races.</p>
<p><strong>On the surface</strong></p>
<p>If the 51 percent of the overall winners that came from off the pace the previous week impressed all of us, we were shocked from last week's tally of 70 percent. A mere five races went to horses with a wire-to-wire journey and most of those were sprinting around six panels.</p>
<p>Winning by stalking close to the pace (no worse than third and within a couple of lengths of the leader) was only accomplished 15 percent of the time, which was the same as the wire-to-wire winners.</p>
<p>There were seven turf races in the four-program week. Here, too, off-the-pace strategies worked best, with 57 percent of the seven events -- three sprints and four routes -- coming from fourth or farther back to cash the top prizes.</p>
<p><strong>Trainers</strong></p>
<p>Though Steve Asmussen took another five horses through the winners' circle in four programs, his win rate has not risen enough to make the top-10 trainers by win percentage.</p>
<p>The latest hero there is Victor Arceneaux. He saddled a first-out winner last week and moved to the top of the list. Here are the top-10 Fair Grounds conditioners by win percentage:</p>
<p>Victor Arceneaux 31Steve Margolis 29Edward Johnston 28Tom Amoss 27Bret Calhoun 24Cody Autry 23Merrill Scherer 22Eric Guillot 21Wes Hawley 21Michael Stidham 21</p>
<p>Asmussen would be next with 17 percent, followed closely by Greg Foley (16), Ron Werner (15), Eric Heitzman (15) and Michelle Lovell (15). You may want to make note that Pat Mouton is winning at only 6 percent.</p>
<p><strong>HORSES TO WATCH</strong></p>
<p><strong>Friday (2/5)</strong></p>
<p>1ST -- SECRET BERRY (Supremo Secret) set the pace, led into the stretch and did those things well despite being 12-1 and stopping on a dime in the stretch of this one-mile and 40-yard event on the dirt.</p>
<p>2ND -- TENSAS CAT (Cat Thief) came home well enough in this bulky field to secure third but interfered with another in the drive and was placed eighth.</p>
<p>4TH -- STORMIN LEAKY (Lake Austin) is a first-time starter that had speed enough to hold third after leading to the three-eighths at 6-1.</p>
<p><strong>Saturday (2/6)</strong></p>
<p>6TH -- MISS ACAPULCO (Malibu Wesley) dueled hard for the lead, allowing the favorite to win. She's capable of better next time.</p>
<p>9TH -- STEVE'S STAR (Dynaformer) started slowly, drove four wide to get the lead and was strong enough for a fifth finisher, at 6-1.</p>
<p><strong>Sunday (2/7)</strong></p>
<p>4TH -- COWBOY POKER (Erlton) ran around trouble, steadied at one point and still came back to be second.</p>
<p><strong>Monday (2/8)</strong></p>
<p>7TH -- FASS FEAT (Placid Fund) had a heavy duel through three calls with two different challenges to get second at 4-1.</p>
<p>9TH -- RED DAGGER (Friends Lake) went wire to wire against the bias in a claimer and is a sharp bet-back possibility.</p>
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brisbrisnetFair GroundsFri, 12 Feb 2010 18:11:25 +0000Brisnet6454 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.comBrisnet Handicappers Edge Fair Grounds notes for 2/8/10.http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/brisnet-handicappers-edge-fair-grounds-notes-2810
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<p><span><strong>Rachel breezes a half-mile at Fair Grounds</strong></span>
</p><p>Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old filly RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) breezed four furlongs Saturday morning in :50 3/5 and galloped out five-eighths in 1:04, according to Fair Grounds clockers. Regular exercise rider Dominic Terry was aboard the four-year-old filly, who was accompanied by assistant trainer Scott Blasi on his pony while trainer Steve Asmussen also kept a watchful eye from horseback.</p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra entered the track from the half-mile gap at 6:31 a.m (CST). Following the same routine as her first official work of the year on Sunday, she backtracked more than a half-mile &quot;the wrong way,&quot; clockwise, into the Fair Grounds stretch. Turning back with the traffic, Rachel Alexandra galloped a few paths toward the center of the track into the backstretch before Terry eased her to the rail and picked up speed approaching the half-mile marker.</p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra worked to the finish line before galloping out the extra eighth of a mile in an easy :13 2/5. She continued to jog down the backstretch to the start of the far turn and playfully reared up twice after being rejoined by Blasi and his pony to lead her off the track.</p>
<p>&quot;She's very special,&quot; Asmussen said back at his barn shortly afterward. &quot;I thought she looked beautiful. She went :50 3/5 today off of her :52 the other day. I think that's pretty much the progression that we're expecting.&quot;</p>
<p>Asked whether Rachel Alexandra could be ready for a race in the next two months, Asmussen reiterated that they would &quot;do what's right by her.&quot; This morning's work, he said, was simply &quot;the next step in the process.&quot;</p>
<p>Rachel Alexandra established herself as one of the all-time great fillies last year with historic wins in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Preakness S. (G1), as well as six other stakes races. Her three Grade 1 victories against the boys -- the Preakness, Haskell Invitational and Woodward -- helped to establish a new standard for excellence by a female racehorse in the modern era. </p>
<p>Richard Rudolph's Illinois homebred <strong>ROYAL EXPRESS</strong> (Royal Academy) broke on top and never looked back in Saturday's $56,400 Black Gold S. at Fair Grounds, cruising home a 3 1/2-length winner under James Graham. Moved to the main track due to a rain-soaked turf course, the winning time for 5 1/2 furlongs over the fast strip was 1:04 1/5. This was the first stakes win for the three-year-old, who faded to a distant second after setting the pace in the Sun Power S. at Hawthorne last fall. The speedball never made the lead when a wide-trip last of seven in the Sugar Bowl S. in his Fair Grounds debut, but entered this off an 8-1 allowance upset. Conditioned by Spanky Broussard, Royal Express has bankrolled $111,391 from a line of 7-3-2-0...</p>
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<p align="center"><strong><span>Brisnet.com Live Chat<br />Wizard returns Monday</span></strong></p>
<p>Handicap the Fair Grounds card and chat live one-on-one with the Brisnet.com staff of expert handicappers in the Brisnet.com Live Chat for Fair Grounds.</p>
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<p>· <span>Pick up valuable nuggets of information on what is happening in real-time at the track</span><span><br />· </span><span>Ask any questions of the handicappers</span><span><br />· </span><span>Converse with other horseplayers</span><span><br />· </span><span>Learn how some of the best handicappers in the country pick the races</span></p>
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</p><p>This Monday from 3-5 p.m. (EST) we will have a special return guest on the Live Chat. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/bris_wizard.cgi"><span><span>The WIZARD</span></span></a> will be our featured guest to answer any questions you may have about the races at Fair Grounds or handicapping in general. </p>
<p>Tim Holland, a five-time NHC qualifier, is the everyday moderator of the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brisnet.com/php/fw/liveChat/"><span><span>Brisnet.com Live Chat</span></span></a>. </p>
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</p><p align="center"><span>Fair Grounds will host an <strong>autograph session with Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day </strong>on February 20, Louisiana Derby Preview Day, to raise money for the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA)...<strong><em> </em></strong></span></p>
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<p align="center"><em><strong><span>FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK</span></strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong><span>FEBRUARY 5, 2010</span></strong></p>
<p>by Frank Cotolo</p>
<p>Another 40 races are in the books for 2010 at Fair Grounds, with resounding public success wagering on the main course. Only one day was interrupted by foul weather when on Friday the track had to be sealed from Race 4 to the end of the nine-race card. But it was the beginning of a week where favorites were identified at the highest rate of any recorded week in our notebooks this meet.</p>
<p>The mostly fast surface produced 45-percent winners for the public. Involved in many of those finishes were close second choices. In other words, chalk ruled the week and choked a lot of bettors swinging for the fences.</p>
<p>On the first day of the racing week, when six races coped with the sealed track, five on the program still went to public choices. By Saturday, all was &quot;fast&quot; again, as well as the public was smart, adding six choices to the week. There were four on Sunday and the week ended on Monday with three.</p>
<p><strong>On the surface</strong></p>
<p>Though the &quot;best&quot; horses were winning an impressive clip all week, 51 percent of the overall winners came from off the pace to get their victories. Not all of them showed up late from out of the clouds, but they were far enough back at one point of call to not be stalkers.</p>
<p>Winners close to the pace won at a 30-percent race and wire-to-wire winners only grabbed 19 percent of the wins. Some might attribute the &quot;sloppy&quot; intervention early in the week to demoting speed as an important element ,but a lack of firm surprise winners is a better indication that the playing field was quite level.</p>
<p>There were only three turf races during the week, all of Monday, and they showed no sign of bias.</p>
<p><strong>Trainers</strong></p>
<p>The top names dominated the four-day race week. Steve Asmussen continued his barrage of winners, adding another five to his ledger. Bret Calhoun came close with four winners and Tom Amoss had three.</p>
<p>Doubling were Wesley Hawley, Edward Johnston and Michelle Lovell. We saw another winner from ex-jock Ray Sibille last week.</p>
<p><strong>HORSES TO WATCH</strong></p>
<p><strong>Friday (1/29)</strong></p>
<p>5TH -- STRIKE HAPPY (Service Strike) showed speed and led to the half at 21-1, which is a good sign for improving, especially holding well against a closer's track.</p>
<p>8TH -- HANDS ON (Friendly Lover) got into a duel to the three-eighths in the afternoon's early slop.</p>
<p><strong>Saturday (1/30)</strong></p>
<p>1ST -- BAKUBAH (Cactus Ridge) won a heavy duel midway while on the outside, took the lead and wound up fourth at 12-1.</p>
<p>4TH -- WHEELING WINI (Johanesburg), a first-time starter for David Carroll, closed well with promising strides.</p>
<p>10TH -- LIL RICK'S GAL (Macabe) had a messy trip with altered paths.</p>
<p><strong>Sunday (1/31)</strong></p>
<p>3RD -- INCALZANDO (Giant's Causeway) is a bet back from this win, taking it while wide to start getting command and drawing off against claimers.</p>
<p>7TH -- HEY MY BABY (Malibu Wesley) dueled with a 14-1 shot, put that one away, and had speed into the stretch at 18-1.</p>
<p><strong>Monday (2/1)</strong></p>
<p>1ST -- JAVA HONEY (Deputy Diamond) shot from a slow start to the lead, won a duel near the drive to lead and was beaten late to hold second.</p>
<p>4TH -- CERTIFIEDNBONEFIED (Twilight Agenda) challenged three wide three times during the event, impressive mini-battles for a 32-1 shot.</p>
<p><strong><span>On the Louisiana worktab</span></strong></p>
<p>Multiple Grade 3 heroine <strong>FOUR GIFTS</strong> (Even the Score), winner of the Charles Town Oaks in her three-year-old finale, breezed five furlongs in 1:02 3/5 over Fair Grounds' fast main track on Sunday.</p>
<p>Stars and Stripes Turf H. (G3) winner <strong>FREE FIGHTER</strong> (Out of Place), unplaced in the Sycamore S. (G3) to close out 2009, posted three panels in :37 3/5.</p>
<p>Derby Trial S. (G3) hero <strong>HULL</strong> (Holy Bull), unraced since suffering his first loss in the June 6 Woody Stephens S. (G2), breezed a half in :53 2/5.</p>
<p>Grade 3 winner <strong>TRANSDUCTION GOLD</strong> (Formal Gold), last seen running off-the-board in the May 23 Louisville H. (G3), traveled four furlongs in :52.</p>
<p>Sugar Bowl S. winner <strong>COOL BULLET</strong> (Red Bullet), fourth in the Lecomte S. (G3) last out, covered four furlongs in 1:02 1/5.</p>
<p>Last-out F.W. Gaudin Memorial S. victor <strong>CASH REFUND</strong> (Petionville), whose only career loss came as a second in the Matt Winn S., breezed four furlongs in :50 4/5.</p>
<p>Furl Sail H. scorer <strong>CATEGORY SEVEN</strong> (Gulf Storm) went a half-mile in :52 3/5.</p>
<p>Dual stakes winner <strong>COY CAT</strong> (Hold That Tiger), runner-up in the Dr. A.B. Leggio Memorial S. most recently, negotiated four furlongs in :51.</p>
<p><strong>UTTERLY COOL</strong> (Smoke Glacken), a 10 1/4-length victor of the Cup and Saucer S. in his last race, posted four panels in :49 3/5.</p>
<p><strong>UPPERLINE</strong> (Maria's Mon), third in the Golden Rod S. (G2) last out, traveled five-eighths in 1:01 2/5.</p>
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brisbrisnetFair GroundsRachel AlexandraMon, 08 Feb 2010 17:23:08 +0000Brisnet6406 at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com